Study assesses cancers in children exposed to medical imaging
Study of nearly 4 million children and adolescents finds that 10% of pediatric blood and bone marrow cancers may have stemmed from radiation exposure.
We’re delighted to announce the release of our 2021-2022 annual report, which highlights ICES’ significant achievements this past year. As an organization that strives to translate data into trusted evidence for healthcare decision-making, we are proud to share the accomplishments of our scientists, clinicians, and collaborators.
This report comes as ICES celebrates its 30th anniversary, and we mark this occasion by looking to the future and our continuing role in supporting healthcare decision-making and policy. The report highlights the impact of ICES evidence on four key areas: the health of Ontarians, healthcare delivery, policy decision-making and barriers to data. Our impact stories illustrate how data can catalyze measurable and positive change.
- In the second year of the COVID-19 pandemic, ICES moved from reporting on cases and testing to evaluating vaccination rates across the province. This data helped guide the location of mobile vaccination units to better target specific populations with greater needs.
- After a 2017 decision to make the abortion drug mifepristone available as a regular prescription, ICES scientists published data in the New England Journal of Medicine showing that abortion remained safe with the expanded use of mifepristone, with no change in complications or adverse events. This data was presented worldwide and resulted in the US FDA removing some mifepristone restrictions.
- As eating disorder rates skyrocketed during the pandemic, a new ICES study shed light on the contributing factors of eating disorders in children and adolescents. This data was used to secure additional provincial funding and support for treatment.
- ICES scientists identified the number of Ontario emergency department (ED) visits for minor ailments. The Ontario College of Pharmacists used the information in a regulatory amendment to expand the prescribing powers for pharmacists — with the overall goal of delivering effective and safe patient care while reducing the burden on EDs.
- Our partnership with the Métis Nation of Ontario (MNO) helped to support MNO’s objectives to improve research skills development and educational training for Métis students. Students received applied research experience using ICES health data, which improved health promotion messaging throughout the COVID-19 vaccine rollout.
Most agree that the past few years have been challenging for healthcare, and ongoing system-wide issues remain. But with those challenges come opportunities for innovation and collaboration. ICES is committed to playing a critical role in shaping the future of Ontario healthcare and improving the lives of all Ontarians.
ICES is an independent, non-profit research institute that uses population-based health information to produce knowledge on a broad range of healthcare issues. Our unbiased evidence provides measures of health system performance, a clearer understanding of the shifting healthcare needs of Ontarians, and a stimulus for discussion of practical solutions to optimize scarce resources. ICES knowledge is highly regarded in Canada and abroad, and is widely used by government, hospitals, planners, and practitioners to make decisions about care delivery and to develop policy. In October 2018, the institute formerly known as the Institute for Clinical Evaluative Sciences formally adopted the initialism ICES as its official name. For the latest ICES news, follow us on Twitter: @ICESOntario
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION PLEASE CONTACT:
Misty Pratt
Senior Communications Officer, ICES
[email protected]
613-882-7065