Health Futures

Those trying to alleviate back pain after long hours of sitting at work may resort to painkillers, massage, acupuncture or heat therapy — but the solution may be as simple as switching out your office chair.

Lower back pain during office work is often attributed to a lack of movement, with experts advising to take regular breaks from sitting as a temporary form of relief.

Burnout is a state of emotional, physical and mental exhaustion — and it’s pervasive.

In the U.S., 72 per cent of the workforce reports stress and anxiety affecting their daily lives, according to peer reviewed research published in the Annual Review of Organizational Psychology and Organizational Behavior.

About a third of Canadians feel lonely, and a study from the University of Waterloo shows it has a greater negative impact on memory than even social isolation, though both present a significant risk to the aging population.

Loneliness is a subjective emotion that people might feel even while engaging in social activities. It is often associated with depression and an increase in stress hormones that may contribute to impaired memory.

A University of Waterloo engineer has paired inexpensive wireless communication antennas with artificial intelligence (AI) to improve how doctors can detect bone fractures.

Determining bone fractures using traditional diagnostic methods such as x-rays, computed tomography (CT) scans, and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) takes time — such equipment is not readily available in ambulances or primary care facilities and, with health care services in high demand, many people have to wait for an x-ray or scan once they arrive at the hospital.

According to Health Canada, about 48,000 people in Canada die from tobacco use each year. Research has shown that tobacco use is a leading cause of preventable diseases and deaths worldwide and efforts to reduce tobacco consumption through regulation and policy measures have significantly contributed to public health improvements.

Strategies supported by science, like the work carried out by Dr. David Hammond and Dr. Geoffrey Fong here at the University of Waterloo, aim to save lives by reducing tobacco-related diseases and promoting public health.

Canada’s population could double in the next 50 years, and the population of people aged 85 and older could triple, according to the Statistics Canada data released earlier this week.   

It’s a potentially life-altering medical condition typically diagnosed in childhood. The good news is treatment works well if followed properly. The bad news is the treatment is hard to stick to.

An interdisciplinary team of University of Waterloo researchers is trying to improve treatment adherence through use of a social robot that can educate and motivate children and their caregivers.

Underrepresented populations have been historically excluded from clinical trials including women, racial and ethnic minority groups, and pregnant, lactating, pediatric and geriatric populations. While the importance of including these groups in clinical trials are slowly being recognized and remedied, there are still questions in how currently prescribed drugs affect these populations, including the safety and efficacy of the medications. 

On June 12, WatSPEED convened senior health care leaders and executives to explore the transformational potential of artificial intelligence (AI) in enhancing Canadian health care services.

Waterloo researchers, students and alumni approach challenges differently. They unlock barriers by working together to develop creative approaches across disciplines. The futures they are transforming are not independent islands but an interconnected landscape of opportunities representing a path for Waterloo to foster lasting, impactful global change.