We Need To Talk About The Direction That Things Have Been Going. We Need To Change.

Dear Editor:

I’m a family doctor in Windsor, Nova Scotia. Before the pandemic, my colleagues and I had been steadily waging a war against multiple epidemics of chronic disease. For example, 2013 data from Statistics Canada shows Nova Scotians have higher rates of lung disease (COPD) (4.8%), diabetes (7.6%) and mental illness (10.3%) compared to national rates (4.3% COPD, 6.6% diabetes, 7.6% mental illness). The Canadian Community Health Survey reports that our rates of smoking (17.9%) and heavy drinking (20.8%) are also higher than national averages (16.0% smoking, 19.3% heavy drinking).

Since the pandemic, I’ve noticed in my practice through virtual and in-person appointments that we are struggling: mentally, physically and financially. Many of us went into the initial two-week lockdown with an attitude of spring break, eating and drinking more because of the unique and seemingly temporary situation we found ourselves in. Once regular habits are broken, it’s hard to get back on track.

While it’s too soon to have statistics on the changes in our health status, I’m alarmed by the trends that I’m seeing in my patients. As the bloodwork starts to roll in, I’m seeing increases in cholesterol and diabetes markers from previous patient baselines and higher blood pressure readings in previously well-controlled patients. More patients are ...