Recent findings from the UBC Faculty of Medicine’s Human Early Learning Partnership (HELP) reveal a concerning rise in developmental vulnerabilities among kindergarten children across British Columbia. While the data is provincial, the trends mirror what family physicians, pediatricians, and allied health professionals across Canada — including those at OFHC — have been observing since the pandemic.

More than 1 in 3 kindergarten-aged children are now entering school with challenges in at least one core area of development — the highest rate recorded in 24 years.

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At Orleans Family Health Clinic, we know that conversations about women’s health extend far beyond physical checkups. Increasingly, research highlights the connection between burnout and depression—especially among women, who often juggle overlapping responsibilities at work, at home, and in caregiving roles.

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International Women’s Day is a time to recognize the achievements of women while also reflecting on the health challenges women continue to face—many of which remain underdiagnosed, undertreated, or misunderstood.

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World Obesity Day, observed annually on March 4, highlights the global health impact of obesity and the importance of preventive care. At Orleans Family Health Clinic, we recognize that weight management is about more than appearance—it’s a crucial factor in chronic disease prevention and family wellness.

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Medication timing changes affect drug levels, absorption, and effectiveness. Some drugs cannot be safely retimed without adjustment.

Conditions needing structured medication review include hypertension, heart disease, thyroid disease, mental health treatment, and seizure disorders.

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March is Endometriosis Awareness Month, and at Orleans Family Health Clinic, we believe that awareness without access to care is incomplete. Endometriosis affects approximately 1 in 10 women and people assigned female at birth in Canada — an estimated 1 million Canadians — yet the average time from symptom onset to confirmed diagnosis remains over five years. That delay is not inevitable. With better education, earlier recognition, and a trusted primary care relationship, we can close that gap together.

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A recent commentary by Dr. Sohail Gandhi, former president of the Ontario Medical Association, asked an important question:

“Which pharmacy should you use?”

His answer was clear: patients deserve better than rushed, corporate-driven care.

At Orleans Family Health Clinic (OFHC), we couldn’t agree more.

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Shingles is one of those conditions that most Canadians have heard of but few think will happen to them. The reality is different: approximately 1 in 3 Canadians will develop shingles in their lifetime, and the risk increases meaningfully with age. For adults over 50, shingles is not a remote possibility — it is a genuine and preventable health risk that belongs in a conversation with your family physician.

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Diabetes fasting risk varies by medication type, insulin use, prior hypoglycemia, kidney function, and overall control. This is not safely managed through guesswork.

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