and treatment. Such AI-powered tools help streamline clinical decisions by providing information from high-quality published medical articles. One such program, Openevidence, is now used extensively by doctors in the U.S. It is a medical information platform that uses AI to guide physicians in reviewing the large amount of medical knowledge and research regarding specific details relating to a patient’s condition. This enables them to make informed decisions about their patients’ diagnoses and most effective treatments. Medical technology has also advanced the ability of individuals to closely monitor and take steps to improve their own health. Health-monitoring watches and other instruments can track blood pressure, heart rate, sleep patterns and exercise levels. Devices such as Kardia can detect abnormal heart rhythms, including atrial fibrillation. Medical alert devices for certain individuals – especially seniors or frail individuals living alone – have greatly improved, even alerting the need for assistance in falls or events where the individual is unable to press the button for help. Another instrument becoming more useful in diagnosing certain diseases is the PET Scanner (positron emission tomography). Although first developed in 1973, it has taken many years to perfect the technology and make it more universally available. In my own community of Kingston, Ontario, only this year has one finally been acquired (patients previously had to go to Toronto or Ottawa to access this modern technology). In cases where CT and MRI scans are inadequate in diagnosing certain conditions, a PET scanner uses specialized X-ray equipment to more accurately diagnose and monitor treatment for cancer, as well as certain neurological and cardiac diseases. Public Health: In the area of vaccines, the development and improvements in Covid vaccines, as well as the discovery of an effective vaccine for respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) are having a significant effect on reducing the incidence of these infections. RSV can infect people of all ages, but serious cases are more likely to affect infants, pregnant women and older adults, especially those with certain chronic diseases and weakened immune systems. Unfortunately, this vaccine is not yet universally covered by provincial health plans, but is by most private health plans. The same applies to Shingrex, the very successful vaccine recommended for the prevention of shingles. Each year, medical advances have the potential of improving both our overall health status and our life expectancy. Just as important are our own choices in pursuing a healthy lifestyle, including healthy diets, regular exercise and avoiding excesses. Health CSANews | FALL 2025 | 39
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