Dr Cory Couillard

Image courtesy of FreeDigitalPhotos.net Annually, 16 million girls aged between 15 and 19 give birth each year. Ninety percent of the births in developing countries occur in adolescent marriages according to World Health Organization (WHO) statistics. In many countries, the risk of maternal death is twice as high for adolescent mothers. Motherhood is often a fulfilling experience but sadly it is commonly associated with severe health consequences without proper care, education and support. Conditions that are related to pregnancy and childbirth are the second cause of death among women of reproductive age. Severe bleeding, infections, unsafe abortion and high blood pressure conditions are four of the main killers that cause 70 percent of deaths. In all, over 358,000 women die per year and most of these are preventable. 20 million pregnancy complications Maternal health simply refers to the overall health of a woman during pregnancy, childbirth and the postpartum period. More t

Image courtesy of FreeDigitalPhotos.net Food safety and security has become a major concern for consumers. As consumers, we trust the food that we eat is safe, disease-free and contains the nutrients stated on the food label or packaging. We trust that the growth, processing and delivery of the food stuffs to be healthy and does not pose any short or long-term health consequences. Endangering food practices in the recent past have made consumers aware that their life and health are in the hands of food packaging plants and commercialized businesses that may or may not have your best interest as their first priority. What is food security? The concept of food security encompasses both physical and economic access to food that meets people's dietary needs in a safe and effective manner. In many countries, health problems related to poor dietary standards are an ever increasing threat. In fact, food induced malnutrition and foodborne diarrhea are become a significant health bur

Image courtesy of FreeDigitalPhotos.net Russian surveys conducted by the Scientific Research Institute of Preventative Medicine have found tobacco contributes significantly to cardiovascular disease, chronic obstructive lung disease and cancer.  The risk of premature death associated with coronary heart disease was found to be three times higher than that of a non-smoker.   A shocking 52.1 percent of malignant cancers have been found to be linked to tobacco.  The annual tobacco death toll in the Russian Federation is now over 400,000.  The mortality rates continue to grow as tobacco companies now relentlessly target children and teenagers.  It is reported that 90 percent of the 44 million Russian smokers start before the age of 20.   Education is not enough Cigarette smoking is still very common despite awareness campaigns and the known hazards.  Tobacco use has been found to be a status symbol among the educated.  Nearly 80 percent of Russians that s

Image courtesy of FreeDigitalPhotos.net Iron deficiency is the most common and widespread nutritional disorder in the world according to the World Health Organization (WHO). In developing countries, 50 percent of pregnant woman and about 40 percent of pre-school children are estimated to be anemic. Two billion people, over 30 percent of the world's population are anemic.  Infections such as tuberculosis, HIV, hookworm, schistosomiasis and malaria are known to exacerbate the occurrence of anemia.  Anemia is expensive to the overall productivity of an individual, family, community and nation.  The good news is that the treatment and prevention of anemia is both inexpensive and effective. Understanding iron deficiency anemia Iron is a required component in hundreds of enzymes and functions in the human body.  One of the most important functions is that iron aids in the transport of oxygen throughout the body.  Oxygen is required for proper function and healing. 

Image courtesy of FreeDigitalPhotos.net A multi-country study conducted by the World Health Organization (WHO) found that up to 71 percent of women aged 15 to 49 reported physical and/or sexual violence at some point in their lives.  Violence against women commonly becomes a vicious cycle in families thus creating generational dysfunction and disease.  The complete social framework of society is at risk when we let violence happen in our homes.  Physical, mental and emotional abuse are major public health problems and violations of women's human rights. Currently, there are few global interventions that have been proven effective at preventing violence against women. This is likely the result of the deep rooted familial and cultural strongholds that will continue to repeat themselves until we personally take responsibility and change it.  Action is not solely up to governments, organizations or groups -- It starts with you.  Violence has major health consequences