Human Pathogens and Toxins Act

ATTENTION: PERSONS HANDLING HUMAN PATHOGENS AND TOXINS
On June 23rd, 2009, the Government of Canada passed the Human Pathogens and Toxins Act. This Act is designed to protect the health and safety of the public against the risks posed by human pathogens and toxins. Under this Act, persons responsible for activities involving human pathogens and toxins are required to register their laboratory or facility by September 21st, 2009.

To register and to get more information, please visit www.publichealth.gc.ca/pathogens or call 1-877-842-5590.

Obama and Health

The lead Editorial in this week’s edition of the Lancet focuses on health as a symbolic uniting force for President-elect Barack Obama’s new administration. It says: “Health system strengthening must be a top priority for the new administration if 46 million uninsured US residents are to have access to health care. Obama’s plans to offer a range of payment choices, his commitment to ensure that all children have health insurance, and the requirement that insurance companies cover pre-existing conditions are positive steps towards an inclusive health system. In addition, Medicaid and Medicare must be rebuilt, reinforced, and fully supported,” and adds: “It was encouraging to hear UK Prime Minister Gordon Brown say at last week’s international conference on the Social Determinants of Health in London that Barack Obama is committed to tackling domestic and global inequality.”

For full text, see:

“Obama and Health – Change Can Happen.”
The Lancet
, November 15th, 2008. Vol. 372 No. 9651 p 1707
Click here to read Full Editorial online
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