Every year on November 14, World Diabetes Day shines a global spotlight on one of the most serious and fast-growing health challenges of our time. In Canada, diabetes affects millions—and its impact extends far beyond blood sugar levels. The complications of diabetes influence every aspect of a person’s life: physical health, mental well-being, family stability, finances, mobility, and long-term independence.

At Orleans Family Health Clinic (OFHC), we recognize these challenges and are committed to offering Complete, Comprehensive, Caring, Connected Care to support patients in preventing, managing, and reducing the complications of diabetes.

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The challenge of fragmentation in healthcare, as eloquently detailed by pharmacist Jaclyn Katelnikoff, is a systemic issue where providers often work in isolated silos. This isolation compromises care, leads to duplication of effort, and creates unnecessary stress for both patients and clinicians.

At the Orleans Family Health Clinic, we recognize that true patient-centered care requires a unified circle of care. That is precisely why our deep, structural collaboration with Centrum Pharmacy is not just convenient—it is essential to delivering the highest standard of care to our community.

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The recent federal budget introduced an important measure for addressing Canada’s chronic healthcare labour shortage: a $97 million investment over five years to establish the Foreign Credential Recognition Action Fund.

This initiative aims to support provinces and territories in streamlining the process for recognizing international credentials—a long-standing bottleneck preventing many skilled doctors, nurses, and other healthcare professionals from contributing to Canada’s health system.
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The digital landscape is increasingly cluttered with misleading health information, driven by highly profitable Direct-to-Consumer drug advertising. A concerning loophole, highlighted by a Harvard study in JAMA Network Open, shows how pharmaceutical companies are exploiting sponsored search results to promote drugs like Ozempic for unapproved, “off-label” uses (e.g., targeting general ‘weight’ terms).

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Today, Orleans Family Health Clinic stands alongside Canadians in solemn remembrance of the men and women who have served and continue to serve our nation with courage, strength, and selflessness.

Remembrance Day is not only a time to look back—it is a call to gratitude and reflection. The peace and freedom we cherish today were secured through the sacrifice of countless Canadians who fought bravely in times of war and peacekeeping missions around the world.

At Orleans Family Health Clinic, we are proud to be part of a compassionate community that values remembrance, unity, and care. We join our patients, families, and neighbors in wearing the poppy and pausing for the moment of silence at 11 a.m.

As we honor their memory, may we also renew our collective commitment to peace, understanding, and kindness—values that strengthen the health and spirit of our community.

Lest we forget.

As family physicians, we are always on the lookout for silent threats to your long-term health. One of these is shingles (also called herpes zoster), a painful and often debilitating condition caused by the reactivation of the same virus that causes chickenpox.

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A new U.S. report is shedding light on a disturbing trend: death rates from unintentional falls among older adults are rising dramatically—especially for those over age 85.

According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), between 2003 and 2023:

• Fall-related death rates rose more than 70% for adults aged 65–74
• Increased over 75% for those aged 75–84
• More than doubled for seniors aged 85+

This trend serves as a sobering reminder that falls are not just a normal part of aging—they are a serious and growing public health issue.

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Halloween brings a burst of excitement with its colorful costumes, creative decorations, and of course, the thrill of trick-or-treating. As kids prepare to hit the streets for candy and fun, it’s essential to keep safety in mind to ensure the evening is enjoyable and accident-free. With a few simple precautions, you can help make Halloween a memorable and safe experience for everyone involved.

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Your health is more than just your symptoms—it’s shaped by the food you eat, the environment you live in, and the broader community around you. At Orleans Family Health Clinic, we believe in caring for the whole patient, which means understanding how factors like agricultural antibiotic use can ripple through the ecosystem and ultimately affect your health.

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At Orléans Family Health Clinic, we’ve been proudly serving the Orléans community for decades. As one of the oldest and largest family medical clinics in Eastern Ontario, we’ve seen firsthand how the rhythms of life have changed — and how those changes affect not just physical health, but emotional and social well-being too.

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