News

Two recent studies from the University of Toronto and The Hospital for Sick Children are adding to mounting evidence that Canadians would benefit from more screening for iron deficiency in early childhood. One study details the known association between iron levels and cognitive function, and identifies a new threshold in blood tests that could guide more effective clinical intervention. The other is the first health-economic analysis of potential screening programs for iron deficiency in Canada, which shows that both targeted and universal screening would be cost-effective.

Researchers from the Joannah & Brian Lawson Centre for Child Nutrition shared their knowledge with University of Toronto alumni and friends last week at a community event in North Toronto.

The University of Toronto and St. Michael’s Hospital hosted the 2019 Food as Medicine Update: Hot Topics in Nutrition Through the Lifespan in November. This annual full-day symposium for health-care professionals addressed emerging issues in food and nutrition science that impact chronic disease prevention.

The rate of severe food insecurity dropped by one-third among low-income families after the introduction of the Canada Child Benefit (CCB) in 2016, new research from the University of Toronto has found. The study is the first to look at the CCB’s impact on food insecurity, defined as the inadequate or insecure access to food due to financial constraint.