England’s diabetes prevention program as blueprint for Canada

Canadian Medical Association Journal

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Canada can learn from England’s successful diabetes prevention program to build its own programs to tackle diabetes prevention across the country, argue authors in an analysis in CMAJ (Canadian Medical Association Journal) https://www.cmaj.ca/lookup/doi/10.1503/cmaj.250057.

In 2022, Canada released a diabetes framework that calls on provincial and Indigenous governing bodies to build community-based programs to help address increases in new cases of diabetes.

Based on evidence showing positive preventive benefits of diet and exercise on type 2 diabetes, England’s National Health Service (NHS) created publicly funded prevention and remission programs that have been successful. The initiative has reduced diabetes rates from 64.3 to 53.4 per 1000 person-years in people with prediabetes and is projected to save $121 million over 35 years.

A Quebec-based team of clinician–scientists, legal experts, and health economist researchers, with funding from the Canadian Institutes of Health Research, several of whom are Diabetes Quebec professional council members, have partnered with leaders from the NHS to investigate whether a similar program could be rolled out in Quebec. The idea is to start in Quebec and trigger action in other parts of Canada. It would be akin to what happened with Quebec’s early child education and care program, which Canada’s federal government has adopted to deliver similar programs across the country.

“Our goal is to build successful programs in Quebec that will catalyze programs across Canada,” writes Dr. Kaberi Dasgupta, Research Institute of the McGill University Health Centre, Montréal, Quebec, with coauthors.

“In our view, if 1 province successfully builds a program, it will catalyze others and attract federal funding.”

As another example of change in one part of the country leading to change in other parts, medicare, which was originally a provincial initiative in Saskatchewan, was rolled out nationally and is the basis of Canada’s publicly funded health systems.

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Journal

Canadian Medical Association Journal

DOI

10.1503/cmaj.250057 

Method of Research

Literature review

Subject of Research

People

Article Title

Building diabetes prevention and remission programs across Canada: learning from England

Article Publication Date

16-Jun-2025

LONLINESS WON'T KILL YA

Study: Loneliness doesn’t raise mortality risk

Waterloo-led research challenges link between loneliness and mortality for older adults receiving home care

University of Waterloo

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Various reports have linked loneliness to premature death, with some — including the U.S. Surgeon General — suggesting that loneliness is as harmful to one’s health as smoking 15 cigarettes a day. 

However, a new international study led by researchers at the University of Waterloo’s School of Public Health Sciences has found that while loneliness is common among older adults receiving home care, it is not associated with an increased risk of death.

The researchers analyzed data from more than 380,000 home care recipients aged 65 and older in Canada, Finland and New Zealand. Using standardized assessments and survival analysis, they found that lonely individuals had a lower risk of dying within one year compared to their non-lonely counterparts after adjusting for health conditions, age and other risk factors.

“Our findings suggest that loneliness may not independently increase the risk of death after controlling for other health risk factors among older adults in home care,” said the study’s lead author, Dr. Bonaventure Egbujie, a professor in Waterloo’s School of Public Health Sciences. “This contradicts much of the existing literature based on the general population.”

Loneliness prevalence — defined as the number of people per 100 who report feeling lonely — ranged from 15.9 per cent of home care recipients in Canada to 24.4 per cent in New Zealand. Interestingly, people in better physical shape and who got less help from family or friends were likelier to feel lonely, suggesting a complex link between health status, caregiving needs, and social connection.

The study urges policymakers and health-care providers to treat loneliness as a quality-of-life issue rather than focusing solely on its potential link to mortality.

“Loneliness is a serious threat to psychological well-being. The mental health consequences of loneliness make it an important priority for public health, even if loneliness doesn’t kill you,” said the study’s senior author, Dr. John Hirdes, a professor in Waterloo’s School of Public Health Science. 

“Home and community care services must play a protective role by supporting social contact for isolated people.”

The authors call for longer-term studies to better understand the causal relationship between loneliness and health outcomes and to explore how cultural and care system differences influence these dynamics.

The study, Cross-National Evidence on Risk of Death Associated with Loneliness: A Survival Analysis of 1-Year All-Cause Mortality among Older Adult Home Care Recipients in Canada, Finland, and Aotearoa in New Zealand, was recently published in the Journal of the American Medical Directors Association. 

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Journal

Journal of the American Medical Directors Association

 

Thinking in sync: How brain rhythms support intelligence

Well-tuned brain activity patterns are linked to cognitive ability

Johannes Gutenberg Universitaet Mainz

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Test subject in an EEG booth

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Credit: photo/©: Henrike Jungeblut / Luis Ahrens

When the brain is under pressure, certain neural signals begin to move in sync – much like a well-rehearsed orchestra. A new study from Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz (JGU) is the first to show how flexibly this neural synchrony adjusts to different situations and that this dynamic coordination is closely linked to cognitive abilities. "Specific signals in the midfrontal brain region are better synchronized in people with higher cognitive ability – especially during demanding phases of reasoning," explained Professor Anna-Lena Schubert from JGU's Institute of Psychology, lead author of the study recently published in the Journal of Experimental Psychology: General.

The researchers focused on the midfrontal area of the brain and the measurable coordination of the so-called theta waves. These brainwaves oscillate between four and eight hertz and belong to the group of slower neural frequencies. "They tend to appear when the brain is particularly challenged such as during focused thinking or when we need to consciously control our behavior," said Schubert, who heads the Analysis and Modeling of Complex Data Lab at JGU.

Being able to focus even next to a buzzing phone

The 148 participants in the study, aged between 18 and 60, first completed tests assessing memory and intelligence before their brain activity was recorded using electroencephalography (EEG). This method measures tiny electrical signals in the brain using electrodes placed on the scalp and is a well-established technique for gaining precise insights into cognitive processes. During EEG recording, participants completed three mentally demanding tasks designed to assess cognitive control.

The researchers were interested in the participants' ability to flexibly shift between changing rules, which is an essential aspect of intelligent information processing. For example, participants had to press a button to decide whether a number was even or odd, and moments later whether it was greater or less than five. Each switch of rules required rapid adjustment of mental strategies – a process that allowed researchers to closely observe how the brain's networks coordinate in real time.

As a result, individuals with higher cognitive abilities showed especially strong synchronization of theta waves during crucial moments, particularly when making decisions. Their brains were better at sustaining purposeful thought when it mattered most. "People with stronger midfrontal theta connectivity are often better at maintaining focus and tuning out distractions, be it that your phone buzzes while you're working or that you intend to read a book in a busy train station," explained Schubert.

A flexible rhythm in the brain

Professor Anna-Lena Schubert was particularly surprised by how closely this brain rhythm coordination was tied to cognitive abilities. "We did not expect the relationship to be this clear," she said. What mattered most was not continuous synchronization, but the brain's ability to adapt its timing flexibly and contextually – like an orchestra that follows a skilled conductor. The midfrontal region often sets the tone in this coordination but works in concert with other areas across the brain. This midfrontal theta connectivity appears to be particularly relevant during the execution of decisions, however not during the preparatory mental adjustment to new task rules.

Previous EEG studies on cognitive ability mostly examined activity in isolated brain regions. In contrast, this study took a network-level approach, examining how different areas interact across multiple tasks to identify stable, overarching patterns. The findings show that individual differences in cognitive ability are linked to the brain's dynamic network behavior.

"Potential applications such as brain-based training tools or diagnostics are still a long way off," emphasized Schubert. "But our study offers important groundwork for understanding how intelligence functions at a neural level." A follow-up study, now seeking participants aged 40 and older from the Rhine-Main region, will explore which biological and cognitive factors further support this kind of efficient brain coordination and the role of additional cognitive abilities, such as processing speed and working memory.

Professor Dr. Anna-Lena Schubert

Credit

photo/©: Samira Schulz / Anna-Lena Schubert

Journal

Journal of Experimental Psychology General

DOI

10.1037/xge0001780 

Article Title

Trait characteristics of midfrontal theta connectivity as a neurocognitive measure of cognitive control and its relation to general cognitive abilities

 

National Poll: Many parents struggle letting teens have independence on family vacations

Balancing freedom with safety: Less than half of parents in new national poll would let teens stay in hotel room alone while they got breakfast or dinner

Michigan Medicine - University of Michigan

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Fewer than half of parents are likely to leave a teen alone while they go to a hotel breakfast or out for dinner while on vacation.

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Credit: Sara Schultz, University of Michigan

ANN ARBOR, Mich. –   Parents’ visions of family vacation time may not always match what their teens have in mind.

And many parents struggle with that transition in travel expectations as kids get older, a new national poll suggests, with one in five saying they have never allowed their teen to be away from them during a vacation or trip.

Fewer than half of parents are also likely to leave a teen alone while they go to a hotel breakfast or out for dinner, according to the University of Michigan Health C.S. Mott Children’s Hospital National Poll on Children’s Health.

“It’s natural for teens to seek more independence and time away from parents, especially in new environments like family vacations,” said Sarah Clark, M.P.H., co-director of the C.S. Mott Children’s Hospital National Poll on Children’s Health.

“Allowing them some space can be a valuable opportunity to build confidence, practice decision-making, and develop self-management skills they’ll need as they move toward adulthood. Our poll found that many parents are hesitant about giving teens that level of independence.”

The nationally representative report, based on 1,047 responses from parents of teens polled in February, found that one in three parents would be very likely to allow their teen to walk a short distance to a coffee shop while on vacation. About one in five say they’d be very likely to let their teen split off separately at a museum or amusement park.

“Parents may believe they are shielding their teens from possible harm, but being overprotective can limit teens’ ability to develop important life skills such as navigating unfamiliar situations, assessing risks and facing real-world responsibilities,” Clark said.

“Helping teens gain independence is a gradual process, and vacations can be an ideal testing ground.”

Balancing trust with fear

Two-thirds of parents say they are very confident their teen would follow the rules if given the opportunity to spend time unsupervised in an unfamiliar setting. However, concerns about safety persist: half of all parents still worry about the risk of an accident or injury, regardless of their teen’s age or sex.

Parents of girls, however, are significantly more likely than parents of boys to worry about their teen being approached by a stranger (70% vs. 41%) or becoming frightened (37% vs. 21%). In contrast, parents of boys are more concerned that their teen might “do something dumb” or engage in risky behavior.

Among parents who report their teen has spent time away from them while on vacation, many indicate they set rules to keep their teen safe. Rules could include having the teen check in by phone, asking them to stay with friends or siblings and staying in agreed-upon locations.

More than half of parents also report using the tracking feature on their teen’s cell phone when they spent time away from parents while on vacation.

“Location tracking can be reassuring for parents when teens are away from them, but it’s most effective when it’s discussed openly and agreed on together in advance,” Clark said. “Parents can explain that it’s meant for safety, not surveillance.”

Clark also recommends parents help prepare teens to be on their own in age-appropriate ways. For example:

• Consider a first aid course: Rather than worry about their teen having an accident or injury, parents can enroll them in a first aid course online or through a community organization, so they can gain knowledge and skills.
• Go over basic safety guidelines: If parents feel their teen might be scared to stay alone in a hotel room for a short time, they might go over rules about locking the doors, responding to a knock from housekeeping or what to do if they’re approached by a stranger.
• Agree on how often and where you will reconnect: Discuss how often you’d like them to check in, where to meet, a time to return and how to contact parents if plans change.
• Create learning opportunities: If parents are uncertain about their teen’s ability, it’s on parents to find ways to practice, so teens can gain experience and confidence.

“While on vacation, it’s important for parents to have open conversations with their teen about how to balance freedom and safety,” Clark said.

“If approached thoughtfully, these moments away from direct parental supervision allow teens to practice responsibility and decision-making in a relatively safe environment, while still knowing support is nearby if needed.”

ISTA and Google launch research collaboration

Google presence in the xista science park connects

Institute of Science and Technology Austria

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Representatives from ISTA, xista, and Google are excited about the research collaboration. On the bridge between ISTA and the xista science park (from left to right): Martin Hetzer (ISTA, President), Dan Alistarh (ISTA, Professor), Sophie Bundle (xista, COO), Johannes Danzl (ISTA, Professor) Ruslan Guseinov (Google), Thomas Auzinger (Google), Bernd Bickel (ISTA, Professor), Markus Wanko (xista, Managing Director)

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Credit: © ISTA

The Institute of Science and Technology Austria (ISTA) in Klosterneuburg and Google have signed a “Master Sponsored Research Agreement” to explore joint scientific research areas. Under this agreement, Google will collaborate with and fund research projects at ISTA, ranging from AI and algorithms to neuro-imaging techniques useful for medical research. In addition, Google has opened a presence at the xista science park directly opposite the ISTA campus to form a liaison between the American corporation, the fundamental researchers at the Institute and the start-ups of the xista ecosystem.

Martin Hetzer, President of ISTA, states: “The connections of our institute to society and the economy have been of central importance since our foundation over 15 years ago. We are delighted that the ecosystem of our campus has now been complemented by a cooperation with and a presence by Google.” Markus Wanko, Managing Director of xista, the Institute's tech transfer arm, adds: “In this collaboration, we are combining Google's industry-leading expertise, resources and innovative drive with ISTA's academic strength, research capabilities and agility. xista's innovation ecosystem serves as a perfect docking station for this purpose.”

Lizzie Dorfman, Product Lead for Science in Google Research, explains the reasons for partnering with the Institute: “ISTA with its strong focus on out-of-the-box and interdisciplinary thinking, covering many fields in the natural sciences, mathematics and computer sciences, is a good fit for such a research agreement with Google. We've seen great success in our previous collaborations and are happy to solidify and expand our work together through this agreement.”

Collaborations around lean AI, privacy and microscopy

The long-term agreement is intentionally broad in scope so that it can respond flexibly to opportunities and ideas as they arise. Current collaborations between ISTA and Google include projects in the fields of artificial intelligence (AI), digital fabrication, algorithms and imaging with applications in medical research.

Prof. Dan Alistarh's research group is working with Google on two projects relating to the efficiency of AI. One is about model compression (scaling laws for highly-accurate sparse models) and the other is about data compression (reducing the number of samples required to get a high-quality model).

Prof. Monika Henzinger's research group, on the other hand, contributes with its know-how in the field of algorithms and Differential Privacy to how Large Language Models can be trained while protecting people's personal data.

Also in the field of AI, Prof. Francesco Locatello works with Google on a project on how advances in vision language models can support science in the automated interpretation of climate data and probabilistic forecasts.

Prof. Johann Danzl and his research group are also working on new light microscopy methods that deliver more information-rich results than electron microscopy and that are capable of reconstructing brain tissue with all neuronal connections. These images produce countless data points. The group is working with Google Research on the computational analysis of these data. This new type of imaging method has great potential for applications in biomedical research. With the new agreement, Google and ISTA laid the groundwork for more collaborations of this kind.

Growth in the ISTA ecosystem

The Institute of Science and Technology Austria (ISTA) is a basic research institute with 90 research groups in the natural sciences, mathematics and computer sciences. The Institute is set to grow to 150 research groups by 2036. It connects to society through its science education brand VISTA Science Experiences and to economy through the xista innovation ecosystem. The xista science park directly opposite the ISTA campus offers space for science-related start-ups with a need for modern laboratory space and will be expanded with additional buildings over the next few years. The park also includes a presence of Google now, which is one more link to the Institute. The venture fund complementing the ecosystem, xista science ventures, has supported and funded 22 spin-offs from a range of scientific institutions, including ISTA.

The xista science park (bottom left) is located directly at the campus of the Institute of Science and Technology Austria (ISTA) (center and right in the picture) in Klosterneuburg, just outside the Austrian capital Vienna.

Credit

© ISTA | Anna Stöcher

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1 in 12 experience threats or violence at work in the UK, finds study

City St George’s, University of London

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1 in 12 workers experienced threats, insults or physical attacks in the workplace in the past year, according to a new study.

The research was co-authored by Dr Vanessa Gash (City St George’s, University of London) and Dr Niels Blom (University of Manchester), and found that violence and threats in the workplace are much more prevalent than previously thought:

• Workplace violence was found in all industries examined, from finance to construction to the arts
• 1 in 13 employees reported feeling unsafe at work
• Violence & fear in the workplace were linked to workers developing anxiety, depression or post-traumatic stress disorder
• Workers continued to experience symptoms of poor mental health even a year after a violent incident.

Workers in public administration and facilities – for instance civil servants, firemen, police officers, legal assistants, immigration officers – had the highest risks of workplace violence.

People who had experienced workplace violence told the researchers they felt current statistics are only “the tip of the iceberg”.

They noted it was easier to report physical violence compared to insidious bullying, which was harder to prove.

Proper support after a violent incident was lacking, with some workers reporting their managers dismissed their claims or responded with annoyance or upset.

As most people are unable to simply leave their jobs, this dynamic of feeling trapped in a violent workplace only heightened their distress.

To overcome the issue, the researchers called for trauma-informed workplace policies that are geared towards job retention.

Tackling the issue could also boost the UK’s sluggish economy, as many are out of work due to poor mental health.

Dr Vanessa Gash said:

“Violence in the workplace is more prevalent than we realised. Around 5% of people in the vast majority of industrial sectors experience workplace violence.

 “7.7% of people in the UK feel unsafe at work. Often people dismiss fear, but our analysis shows a close fit between employees’ exposure to violence and their fear of violence, so their fear is often justified.

“The idea that you'd have to go into work and be scared at work is really, very problematic.

“Most of us can avoid what we are scared of, we can avoid walking alone at night, but we can’t avoid going to work. Most of us need a job to pay our rent and our other expenses.

“Not only is workplace violence extremely unjust, but it is also extremely inefficient for the economy because we risk losing really good workers.”

Dr Niels Blom added:

“Given the strong association between feeling unsafe at work and mental health, fear of workplace violence needs to be better recognised as a significant problem for workers alongside violence.”

The research was carried out with statistical analysis of data from the United Kingdom Household Panel Study (UKHLS), a nationally representative survey of approximately 40,000 households with mental health indicators, labour market status and violence indicators.

Their statistical analysis was supplemented with insights from workers with lived experience of workplace violence.

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DOI

10.5271/sjweh.4230 

Method of Research

Data/statistical analysis

Subject of Research

People

Article Title

Workplace violence and fear of violence: an assessment of prevalence across industrial sectors and its mental health effects