Evidence-informed decision-making seeks to incorporate both scientific or academic knowledge, as well as the practical knowledge of public health professionals. However, the use of scientific evidence is hindered by a number of factors, particularly the lack of an easy-to-use protocol to search, appraise and synthesize academic sources in a timely manner. In this document, we provide an overview of semi-systematic literature reviews as a way to incorporate scientific evidence into EIDM, and we provide a step-by-step protocol encompassing literature search, critical appraisal, and synthesizing new knowledge. The intent of this document is to both assist public health practitioners who wish to conduct their own reviews, as well as provide insight in to the literature review process at NCCEH.
Presentations
The team at NCCEH regularly presents at environmental health events across Canada, in addition to organizing workshops and meetings on various topics. A select listing of our conference presentations and external webinars, as well as presentations from our Environmental Health Seminar Series are available here.
The NCCEH Environmental Health Seminar Series provides an opportunity for learning and knowledge exchange on a variety of environmental health topics. The seminars can be attended in-person or online.
Presenter: Dr. Angela Eykelbosh, Environmental Health & Knowledge Translation Scientist, NCCEH The transmission of COVID-19, which occurs primarily through close contact with an infected person, has made it necessary for large proportions of the world’s population to self-isolate in their homes. However, those dwelling in multi-unit residential buildings (MURBs) face additional challenges as they must necessarily use and share common areas and facilities, and are dependent upon building managers to maintain good indoor environmental quality (IEQ). Based on a recent NCCEH publication, this webinar will look at some of the evidence on COVID-19 transmission and consider how this applies to transmission risk in MURBs. We will discuss current cleaning and sanitation guidance…
The NCCEH Environmental Health Seminar Series provides an opportunity for learning and knowledge exchange on a variety of environmental health topics. The seminars can be attended in-person or online.
Presenter: Dr. Karen Bartlett, School of Population and Public Health, University of British Columbia
Occupants of buildings depend on what we term “good” Indoor Environmental Quality (IEQ). The actual definition of IEQ is somewhat elusive, as it is the absence of problems in the indoor environment which could detract from the health and productivity of occupants. Buildings need to be designed and built with the occupant in mind, and as we rapidly progress into sustainable building designs, we also need to make sure that buildings can accommodate the changing environments of our cities and climate. We will explore some of the facets of the occupant/building interface in these changing environments.
The NCCEH Environmental Health Seminar Series provides an opportunity for learning and knowledge exchange on a variety of environmental health topics. The seminars can be attended in-person or online.
Presenters: Mark McCabe, Fraser Health Authority; Christopher Radziminski and Phillip White, City of Vancouver
Presentation 1: Investigating an Outbreak of Legionnaires’ Disease from Cooling Towers in Surrey, BC
In August 2018, Fraser Health detected an outbreak of Legionnaires’ Disease in Surrey, BC. We employed traditional and novel strategies for identifying and stopping the source, and ultimately, were able to implicate a specific cooling tower as a source of the outbreak. This presentation describes the story of our investigation, the tools and strategies we employed, and key challenges and considerations we faced.
Presentation 2: Driving Down Legionella Risk in the City of Vancouver
This year, Vancouver is implementing mandatory operating…
The NCCEH Environmental Health Seminar Series provides an opportunity for learning and knowledge exchange on a variety of environmental health topics. The seminars can be attended in-person or online.
Presenters: Lori Holmes, Huron Perth Public Health; Sunil Varughese, Public Health Ontario; Vince Spilchuk, Public Health Ontario
Cosmetics, such as skin creams containing mercury, have long been used in several countries for skin-lightening, anti-aging and acne treatment effects. The harmful effects of mercury to human health are well known. Although many countries including Canada have restricted its use in cosmetics to protect the public from mercury exposure, production and subsequent access to these products continues to occur.
The following presentation will outline a recent case of mercury poisoning in an infant that led to a collaborative public health investigation involving provincial, federal and international public health stakeholders. Through the…
The NCCEH Environmental Health Seminar Series provides an opportunity for learning and knowledge exchange on a variety of environmental health topics. The seminars can be attended in-person or online.
Presenter: Keith Warriner, Department of Food Science, University of Guelph
The next chapter in marijuana legalization is the introduction of commercially produced edibles with the first legal products expected to be on the shelves next month. The regulations appear restrictive and the types of edibles to be available remain obscure. However, there exists a gray market where a diverse range of edibles are available with a trend of domestically produced edibles set to become increasingly popular.
In the following presentation an overview of a foundation risk assessment will be provided. This will include risk identification (biological, physical and chemical), risk characterization, risk management options and risk communication strategies. With regards to the…
The NCCEH Environmental Health Seminar Series provides an opportunity for learning and knowledge exchange on a variety of environmental health topics. The seminars can be attended in-person or online.
This seminar highlighted three student research projects from the BCIT Environmental Health Program.
Titles:
Prevalence of Listeria in produce: Comparing the total number of food recalls from the result of Listeria monocytogenes, Salmonella, and Escherichia coli in the last ten years using three-year intervals.Presented by: Christine SweezeyEvaluating Food Safety and Edible Safety Knowledge in BC PopulationsPresented by: Michael CaiUsefulness of BC's Guideline in Educating Food Bank OperatorsPresented by: Diane Lee
The BCCDC/NCCEH Environmental Health Seminar Series provides an opportunity for learning and knowledge exchange on a variety of environmental health topics. The seminars can be attended in-person or online.
Presenter: Tissa Rahim, Project Coordinator, BC Centre for Disease Control
Under legalization of cannabis in the United States poison centres reported an increase in calls about cannabis exposures compared to those in states where cannabis remained illegal during both the lead up to and just after legalization/decriminalization. In 2018 the BC Drug and Poison Information Centre (DPIC) received 644 calls as compared to 241 calls received in 2013. Many adverse effects reported were from people exposed to products that are not yet regulated, including those that were purchased from unlicensed stores/online, or from taking cannabis in combination with other substances. DPIC also received calls about children accidentally exposed to edibles, particularly candies, and…
The BCCDC/NCCEH Environmental Health Seminar Series provides an opportunity for learning and knowledge exchange on a variety of environmental health topics. The seminars can be attended in-person or online.
Speaker: Peter Berry, Senior Policy Analyst, Health Canada
Canada's changing climate is accelerating at an alarming rate that result in significant threats on our health and well-being, infrastructure, ecological integrity, and economies. This webinar addresses new evidence of health impacts from climate change, the next national health assessment and Canada's HealthADAPT initiative that includes 10 local health authorities.