Matters of Life and Death: Public Health Issues in Canada

by Andre Picard

Health issues have long occupied top headlines in Canadian media, and no journalist has written on public health with more authority or for as many years as André Picard. Matters of Life and Death collects Picard's most compelling columns, covering a broad range of topics including Canada's right-to-die law, the true risks of the Zika virus, the financial challenges of a publicly funded health system, appalling health conditions in First Nations communities, the legalization of marijuana, the social and economic impacts of mental illness, and the healthcare challenges facing transgender people.

The topic of health touches on the heart of society, intersecting with many aspects of private and public life—human rights, aging, political debate, economics and death. With his reporting, Picard demonstrates the connection between physical health and the health of society as a whole, provides the facts to help readers make knowledgeable health choices, and acts as a devoted advocate for those whose circumstances bar them from receiving the care they need.

Providing an antidote to widespread fear-mongering and misinformation, Matters of Life and Death is essential reading for anyone with an investment in public health topics—in other words, everyone.

Genres: Nonfiction, Canada, Medicine, Health, Medical

256 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2017

Reviews

[Claire J · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book does what it sets out to do well: give a brief introduction to a variety of Canadian public health(care) issues. Though it is a little dated now since health information evolves so rapidly, I still think it is worth the read!

[MargaretDH · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thoughtfully researched and reported, this collection of Andre Picard's Globe and Mail columns is an excellent primer on Canadian public health issues. The subject matter is expansive, and examines Canadian health care policy in a nuanced way. Picard's writing is extremely readable and compassionate.

My only complaint is that, because each column is only a couple of pages long, it is a surface treatment of many topics, rather than an in-depth study on policy issues. But if you'd like to know more about the state of Canadian health care policy, this is an excellent place to start.

[NEON8L · Rating 5 out of 5]

Each story deserves our reflection, attention and ACTION! If you are interested in the Canadian health(care) system, this is a must read.

[Agnes S · Rating 4 out of 5]

Well, it took me a while to read this but I fulfilled my objective, which was to get a broad overview of current issues in Canadian health care.

I was slightly disappointed to learn that this book is essentially a collection of existing columns that Andre Picard has published in The Globe and Mail, rather than original content. He has grouped the selected columns by topic, including sections on mental health, drug use, cancer, childhood disease, and social determinants of health. I found the content to be timely and relevant, particularly the columns on legalization of marijuana and physician-assisted death.

Andre Picard is a highly respected health journalist and his experience is evident in his columns. However, don't expect this to be unbiased. Picard certainly has opinions, based on evidence and research, on which issues are more important than others, and what more should be done by the government in terms of public health. I recommend this to anyone seeking to better understand health care in Canada, especially to use as a launching pad for further exploration.

[Christina · Rating 4 out of 5]

Andre Picard is an extremely knowledgeable and respected health journalist. This collection of his columns (some updated with the latest data/current state) covers an impressive range of health issues.

As someone who has worked in health policy and quality improvement for seven years, very little of this was new to me. Because it is a collection of columns, there is repetition that would normally have been cut in a book.

I’d recommend this for the general public to better understand the baffling intricacies (provincial vs federal vs differences between provinces) and seemingly contradictory advice (there’s a screening test/treatment but your doctor *doesn’t* recommend it) you’ll encounter using our health system.

[Lara Gobrail · Rating 5 out of 5]

An honest and well-researched look into Canada’s most pressing public health issues. As a frontline nurse in a busy Ontario Emergency Department, I felt better-equipped for my job with the knowledge this book offers about the history and current condition of our healthcare system. Picard sheds light on the complexity of the health disparities seen Canada-wide, and offers thorough explanations for the failings found within our healthcare system. Picard equally follows-up with suggestions for solutions. Matters of Life and Death presents complex ideas in a simplified way, making this book suitable for people with all levels of health literacy. If you are looking for an in-depth exposure to our current healthcare system, I highly recommend this book.

[Jackie M · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book pulls together a great assortment of articles about the Canadian and American healthcare systems. I liked that Picard was critical not just of governments for the failings of the healthcare system, but also of media and most importantly the general public. Lots of great points raised on perception vs. reality of health threats, particularly in the Lifestyles and Social Determinants chapters. Picard is very balanced and pragmatic on touchy subjects such as Reproductive Health and the War on Drugs also. Really enjoyed this book.

[Suzanne F. · Rating 2 out of 5]

Andre Picard is a wonderful writer and I did learn a lot from some of the content presented in this book. Unfortunately instead of what I expected - an in-depth analysis of public health issues in Canada by one of our finest health journalists - I got a collection of Picard's essays in the Globe and Mail...some of them even appeared to be abridged from the original. I felt this book would have been far more successful if Picard had chosen a specific essay for each of the book's categories to then delve further into; it would have been far more satisfying albeit a longer book.

[Adam · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting topics that should cause us (Canadians) to refrain from bragging about our health care system to anyone except Americans. Unfortunately, this book is actually a collection of Picard's Globe & Mail columns meaning there's a lot of breadth but little depth. Great overview of issues but a lack of overarching themes or takeaways to tie them together.

[john buchan · Rating 5 out of 5]

a great summary of data available for those who care about their health and that of people they love.....and the people in our country who are at the greatest risk....and why

it was mind-blowing....i guess i should have been aware already....but this book pulls it altogether in a very readable and informative manner

i have suggested all my friends read it....and you should too!

[Kbeckermann · Rating 4 out of 5]

Picard's writing should be mandatory reading for health-care providers, executives, and politicians. He cuts to the chase and brings rational thought and critical thinking to the complexities of public health. He is a Canadian national treasure.

[Janet Hutchinson · Rating 4 out of 5]

I heard Picard speak when this book was released. He is an intelligent, thoughtful journalist, and this book of his columns very much shows that. Grouped into various chapters highlighting topics of concern in Canadian health, it allowed me to pick and choose what I wanted to read next.

[Amy Maddess · Rating 1 out of 5]

Very ignorant, lacking in empathy. Not well researched.

[risa · Rating 4 out of 5]

Woah!

[Autumn · Rating 3 out of 5]

Enjoyed reading through this and highlighting/annotating. Each article is only 2-3 pages long so it's easy to sit down and read a few in a short period of time. Definitely not unbiased & didn't agree with everything but it was interesting to critically analyze/think about his opinions. Scary to read about the state of the healthcare system pre-COVID and consider how it must be now. Some of the language around minorities didn't sit 100% right, i.e. using the term "blacks" instead of "Black people."

[Mohammad Noroozi]

Can't give it a rating because I didn't finish but I couldn't finish the book because by a bit more than halfway through I didn't trust the authors conclusions anymore. For a non-fiction book, it lacked any citations, which might have been forgivable except that the author would spend only a handful of pages coming to conclusions on topics with what seemed to be very scant evidence.