Iris Gorfinkel, M.D.
@drgorfinkel.bsky.social
Family doctor, clinical researcher, founder of PrimeHealth Clinical Research, contributor to @CBCRadio @GlobalNewsCa @TorontoStar @ZoomerMedia
Reposted by Iris Gorfinkel, M.D.
Based on my back of the envelope calculations and 2024 populations, these are the cases per 100,000:
ON, 14.9
BC, 5.74
AB, 40.1
MB, 17.0
SK, 8.69
We're not as bad in ON as I thought, but nothing to be proud of either.
ON, 14.9
BC, 5.74
AB, 40.1
MB, 17.0
SK, 8.69
We're not as bad in ON as I thought, but nothing to be proud of either.
November 11, 2025 at 1:23 AM
Based on my back of the envelope calculations and 2024 populations, these are the cases per 100,000:
ON, 14.9
BC, 5.74
AB, 40.1
MB, 17.0
SK, 8.69
We're not as bad in ON as I thought, but nothing to be proud of either.
ON, 14.9
BC, 5.74
AB, 40.1
MB, 17.0
SK, 8.69
We're not as bad in ON as I thought, but nothing to be proud of either.
WHY Canada lost measles elimination status
👉 5,138 cases as of Oct 2025
ON 2,392 cases
AL 1,944
BC 324
MN 253
SK 107
👉 Over 300 hospitalizations
👉2 deaths
It'll take 12 months of ZERO cases to regain status
👉 5,138 cases as of Oct 2025
ON 2,392 cases
AL 1,944
BC 324
MN 253
SK 107
👉 Over 300 hospitalizations
👉2 deaths
It'll take 12 months of ZERO cases to regain status
November 11, 2025 at 12:08 AM
WHY Canada lost measles elimination status
👉 5,138 cases as of Oct 2025
ON 2,392 cases
AL 1,944
BC 324
MN 253
SK 107
👉 Over 300 hospitalizations
👉2 deaths
It'll take 12 months of ZERO cases to regain status
👉 5,138 cases as of Oct 2025
ON 2,392 cases
AL 1,944
BC 324
MN 253
SK 107
👉 Over 300 hospitalizations
👉2 deaths
It'll take 12 months of ZERO cases to regain status
FLU SHOTS & HOSPITALIZATION
ALL AGES: 💉lowers risk by 40-50%
KIDS: 💉lowers risk by 50-70%
How effective the flu vaccine is in any given year is known only AFTER the flu season ends.
Bottom line: Get vaxed
www.cbc.ca/news/health/...
ALL AGES: 💉lowers risk by 40-50%
KIDS: 💉lowers risk by 50-70%
How effective the flu vaccine is in any given year is known only AFTER the flu season ends.
Bottom line: Get vaxed
www.cbc.ca/news/health/...
Canada could face ‘worst kind’ of flu season as experts warn evolving strain may be mismatch for vaccine | CBC News
With flu cases now rising in Canada, medical experts are bracing for a difficult influenza season linked to the global spread of an evolving H3N2 strain that could be a mismatch for this year’s vaccin...
www.cbc.ca
November 10, 2025 at 8:37 PM
FLU SHOTS & HOSPITALIZATION
ALL AGES: 💉lowers risk by 40-50%
KIDS: 💉lowers risk by 50-70%
How effective the flu vaccine is in any given year is known only AFTER the flu season ends.
Bottom line: Get vaxed
www.cbc.ca/news/health/...
ALL AGES: 💉lowers risk by 40-50%
KIDS: 💉lowers risk by 50-70%
How effective the flu vaccine is in any given year is known only AFTER the flu season ends.
Bottom line: Get vaxed
www.cbc.ca/news/health/...
Tragic.
Preventable.
It finally happened.
Canada loses measles elimination status after three decades, health agency says -
From reuters.com
Preventable.
It finally happened.
Canada loses measles elimination status after three decades, health agency says -
From reuters.com
reuters.com
November 10, 2025 at 6:11 PM
Tragic.
Preventable.
It finally happened.
Canada loses measles elimination status after three decades, health agency says -
From reuters.com
Preventable.
It finally happened.
Canada loses measles elimination status after three decades, health agency says -
From reuters.com
This isn't simply a matter of inconvenience.
1 in 5 patients find ERRORS in their medical records
...over HALF of which are SERIOUS.
Patients need access to their primary care records NOW
www.thestar.com/opinion/cont...
1 in 5 patients find ERRORS in their medical records
...over HALF of which are SERIOUS.
Patients need access to their primary care records NOW
www.thestar.com/opinion/cont...
Iris Gorfinkel: The price Ontarians’ pay for the lack of access to their medical records
Ontario must stop treating access to primary care records as a privilege and recognize it as a right — because patients’ safety, trust and lives depend on it.
www.thestar.com
November 8, 2025 at 4:58 PM
This isn't simply a matter of inconvenience.
1 in 5 patients find ERRORS in their medical records
...over HALF of which are SERIOUS.
Patients need access to their primary care records NOW
www.thestar.com/opinion/cont...
1 in 5 patients find ERRORS in their medical records
...over HALF of which are SERIOUS.
Patients need access to their primary care records NOW
www.thestar.com/opinion/cont...
As a GP, I want to KNOW mistakes in patients' records.
Knowing what family doctors write IMPROVES
🧐 Engagement in care
💪 Confidence in managing health
🙌 Trust in the team
...so WHY can't most patients access their primary care records in Ontario?
www.thestar.com/opinion/cont...
Knowing what family doctors write IMPROVES
🧐 Engagement in care
💪 Confidence in managing health
🙌 Trust in the team
...so WHY can't most patients access their primary care records in Ontario?
www.thestar.com/opinion/cont...
Iris Gorfinkel: The price Ontarians’ pay for the lack of access to their medical records
Ontario must stop treating access to primary care records as a privilege and recognize it as a right — because patients’ safety, trust and lives depend on it.
www.thestar.com
November 8, 2025 at 4:51 PM
As a GP, I want to KNOW mistakes in patients' records.
Knowing what family doctors write IMPROVES
🧐 Engagement in care
💪 Confidence in managing health
🙌 Trust in the team
...so WHY can't most patients access their primary care records in Ontario?
www.thestar.com/opinion/cont...
Knowing what family doctors write IMPROVES
🧐 Engagement in care
💪 Confidence in managing health
🙌 Trust in the team
...so WHY can't most patients access their primary care records in Ontario?
www.thestar.com/opinion/cont...
1 in 5 patients found ERRORS when given access to their medical charts
Many were serious.
Yet most Ontarians lack access
It’s time to up our game.
Many were serious.
Yet most Ontarians lack access
It’s time to up our game.
The price Ontarians’ pay for the lack of access to their medical records www.thestar.com/opinion/cont... @drgorfinkel.bsky.social @thestar.com
More news → CanadaHealthwatch.ca 🍁
More news → CanadaHealthwatch.ca 🍁
November 6, 2025 at 6:00 PM
1 in 5 patients found ERRORS when given access to their medical charts
Many were serious.
Yet most Ontarians lack access
It’s time to up our game.
Many were serious.
Yet most Ontarians lack access
It’s time to up our game.
Ontario has enough family doctors but NOT enough choosing comprehensive care
Alternatives like walk in clinics offer better pay & fewer hours.
BC evened that score
…& family doctors followed
Alternatives like walk in clinics offer better pay & fewer hours.
BC evened that score
…& family doctors followed
B.C. showed how to fix the family doctor crisis — but Ontario’s not listening www.thestar.com/opinion/cont... @drgorfinkel.bsky.social @thestar.com
More news → CanadaHealthwatch.ca 🍁
More news → CanadaHealthwatch.ca 🍁
October 30, 2025 at 7:05 PM
Ontario has enough family doctors but NOT enough choosing comprehensive care
Alternatives like walk in clinics offer better pay & fewer hours.
BC evened that score
…& family doctors followed
Alternatives like walk in clinics offer better pay & fewer hours.
BC evened that score
…& family doctors followed
TESTOSTERONE in the MENOPAUSE
-Under-researched
-Modestly helpful at⤴️ sexual desire
-1 in 3 reported ONE addtnl sexual event per month
# of APPROVED PRODUCTS by Health Canada
💪MEN 7 -gels, patches, injections, pellets, buccal
😰 WOMEN ZERO
🎧 8 min listen
www.cbc.ca/listen/live-...
-Under-researched
-Modestly helpful at⤴️ sexual desire
-1 in 3 reported ONE addtnl sexual event per month
# of APPROVED PRODUCTS by Health Canada
💪MEN 7 -gels, patches, injections, pellets, buccal
😰 WOMEN ZERO
🎧 8 min listen
www.cbc.ca/listen/live-...
October 29, 2025 at 9:10 PM
TESTOSTERONE in the MENOPAUSE
-Under-researched
-Modestly helpful at⤴️ sexual desire
-1 in 3 reported ONE addtnl sexual event per month
# of APPROVED PRODUCTS by Health Canada
💪MEN 7 -gels, patches, injections, pellets, buccal
😰 WOMEN ZERO
🎧 8 min listen
www.cbc.ca/listen/live-...
-Under-researched
-Modestly helpful at⤴️ sexual desire
-1 in 3 reported ONE addtnl sexual event per month
# of APPROVED PRODUCTS by Health Canada
💪MEN 7 -gels, patches, injections, pellets, buccal
😰 WOMEN ZERO
🎧 8 min listen
www.cbc.ca/listen/live-...
This is what public health is up against.
We need to up our game.
We need to up our game.
We analyzed 200 cancer & autism videos on TikTok - the majority contain #misinformation www.cbc.ca/news/marketp...
Me: "Testimonials, anecdotes, stories — probably the number one way that unproven therapies are pushed on social media."
Harmful & exploitive BS.
Me: "Testimonials, anecdotes, stories — probably the number one way that unproven therapies are pushed on social media."
Harmful & exploitive BS.
We analyzed 200 cancer and autism videos on TikTok and found the majority contain misinformation | CBC News
TikTok is flooded with videos promising miracle treatments for autism and cancer, but how many of them are true? Marketplace investigated 200 health videos on the platform and uncovered a troubling tr...
www.cbc.ca
October 24, 2025 at 1:52 PM
This is what public health is up against.
We need to up our game.
We need to up our game.
🧐 Ontario has enough FAMILY DOCTORS
... but too few providing cradle-to-grave, comprehensive care
That's because it
-Pays less than alternatives
-Has longer hours
-Offers no sick leave, disability or paid vacation
www.thestar.com/opinion/cont...
... but too few providing cradle-to-grave, comprehensive care
That's because it
-Pays less than alternatives
-Has longer hours
-Offers no sick leave, disability or paid vacation
www.thestar.com/opinion/cont...
Iris Gorfinkel: B.C. showed how to fix the family doctor crisis — but Ontario’s not listening
The real issue is that a growing number of family physicians — now 1-in-5 — opt out of comprehensive general practice and pursue focused roles, like ER shifts or walk-in
www.thestar.com
October 23, 2025 at 11:36 AM
🧐 Ontario has enough FAMILY DOCTORS
... but too few providing cradle-to-grave, comprehensive care
That's because it
-Pays less than alternatives
-Has longer hours
-Offers no sick leave, disability or paid vacation
www.thestar.com/opinion/cont...
... but too few providing cradle-to-grave, comprehensive care
That's because it
-Pays less than alternatives
-Has longer hours
-Offers no sick leave, disability or paid vacation
www.thestar.com/opinion/cont...
CAFFEINE - Surprising factoid
Our bodies quickly get used to its benefits
...but NOT to its impact on SLEEP
Regular use just treats the lethargy & headache from WITHDRAWAL
🎧8 min listen
www.cbc.ca/listen/live-...
Our bodies quickly get used to its benefits
...but NOT to its impact on SLEEP
Regular use just treats the lethargy & headache from WITHDRAWAL
🎧8 min listen
www.cbc.ca/listen/live-...
October 22, 2025 at 1:17 PM
CAFFEINE - Surprising factoid
Our bodies quickly get used to its benefits
...but NOT to its impact on SLEEP
Regular use just treats the lethargy & headache from WITHDRAWAL
🎧8 min listen
www.cbc.ca/listen/live-...
Our bodies quickly get used to its benefits
...but NOT to its impact on SLEEP
Regular use just treats the lethargy & headache from WITHDRAWAL
🎧8 min listen
www.cbc.ca/listen/live-...
THIS
…is what democracy looks like.
…is what democracy looks like.
A 60 second summary of some of the biggest and best sights from #NoKings Day.
Congratulations to every single organizer, volunteer and attendee👏
History.
Congratulations to every single organizer, volunteer and attendee👏
History.
October 19, 2025 at 3:10 PM
THIS
…is what democracy looks like.
…is what democracy looks like.
Solidly researched.
Evidence based.
Incontrovertible.
"An astounding 90% of autistic children consumed either breast milk or formula...ignoring potential confounders, control groups and statistical significance."
Hats off to @integralanswers.bsky.social for the fine work.
Evidence based.
Incontrovertible.
"An astounding 90% of autistic children consumed either breast milk or formula...ignoring potential confounders, control groups and statistical significance."
Hats off to @integralanswers.bsky.social for the fine work.
October 19, 2025 at 1:53 AM
Solidly researched.
Evidence based.
Incontrovertible.
"An astounding 90% of autistic children consumed either breast milk or formula...ignoring potential confounders, control groups and statistical significance."
Hats off to @integralanswers.bsky.social for the fine work.
Evidence based.
Incontrovertible.
"An astounding 90% of autistic children consumed either breast milk or formula...ignoring potential confounders, control groups and statistical significance."
Hats off to @integralanswers.bsky.social for the fine work.
To our U.S. Colleagues,
Condolences on the loss of the CDC’s MMWR.
3 resources that may help
🇨🇦
Condolences on the loss of the CDC’s MMWR.
3 resources that may help
🇨🇦
October 12, 2025 at 11:13 AM
To our U.S. Colleagues,
Condolences on the loss of the CDC’s MMWR.
3 resources that may help
🇨🇦
Condolences on the loss of the CDC’s MMWR.
3 resources that may help
🇨🇦
🚨A cornerstone of 🇺🇸 public health has been DECIMATED
Nearly the ENTIRE staff of CDC’s MMWR was FIRED
This publication was a go-to for information on
🇺🇸 DISEASE OUTBREAKS
What’s next?
www.statnews.com/2025/10/11/c... via @statnews.com
Nearly the ENTIRE staff of CDC’s MMWR was FIRED
This publication was a go-to for information on
🇺🇸 DISEASE OUTBREAKS
What’s next?
www.statnews.com/2025/10/11/c... via @statnews.com
Deep cuts made to CDC's flagship MMWR publication, a cornerstone of public health
CDC staff behind the agency’s flagship publication have been fired amid drastic cuts to the HHS promised by the White House due to the government shutdown, according to five people familiar with the s...
www.statnews.com
October 11, 2025 at 8:27 PM
🚨A cornerstone of 🇺🇸 public health has been DECIMATED
Nearly the ENTIRE staff of CDC’s MMWR was FIRED
This publication was a go-to for information on
🇺🇸 DISEASE OUTBREAKS
What’s next?
www.statnews.com/2025/10/11/c... via @statnews.com
Nearly the ENTIRE staff of CDC’s MMWR was FIRED
This publication was a go-to for information on
🇺🇸 DISEASE OUTBREAKS
What’s next?
www.statnews.com/2025/10/11/c... via @statnews.com
Clinics are the one place patients should be SAFE
Colds, flus & coughs are the #1 reason why Canadians see a doctor
…so where did masking in healthcare go?
It’s political.
Colds, flus & coughs are the #1 reason why Canadians see a doctor
…so where did masking in healthcare go?
It’s political.
How politics is putting patients and health care workers at risk www.thestar.com/opinion/cont... @drgorfinkel.bsky.social @thestar.com
𝗠𝗼𝗿𝗲 𝗻𝗲𝘄𝘀 ⇢ CanadaHealthwatch.ca 🍁
𝗠𝗼𝗿𝗲 𝗻𝗲𝘄𝘀 ⇢ CanadaHealthwatch.ca 🍁
October 10, 2025 at 10:54 PM
Clinics are the one place patients should be SAFE
Colds, flus & coughs are the #1 reason why Canadians see a doctor
…so where did masking in healthcare go?
It’s political.
Colds, flus & coughs are the #1 reason why Canadians see a doctor
…so where did masking in healthcare go?
It’s political.
Leaving an ER without being seen is riskier than you think.
It’s linked to a 14% higher risk of hospital admission & death.
It’s linked to a 14% higher risk of hospital admission & death.
Too many Canadians are leaving ERs before getting assessed www.theglobeandmail.com/opinion/arti... @drgorfinkel.bsky.social @theglobeandmail.com
𝗠𝗼𝗿𝗲 𝗻𝗲𝘄𝘀 ⇢ CanadaHealthwatch.ca 🍁
𝗠𝗼𝗿𝗲 𝗻𝗲𝘄𝘀 ⇢ CanadaHealthwatch.ca 🍁
October 6, 2025 at 1:55 PM
Leaving an ER without being seen is riskier than you think.
It’s linked to a 14% higher risk of hospital admission & death.
It’s linked to a 14% higher risk of hospital admission & death.
Finally.
Some HOPEFUL NEWS
The Department of Defense funds biomedical research to ensure military and pandemic preparedness.
This includes mRNA vaccine projects that RFK, Jr., recently defunded
www.scientificamerican.com/article/u-s-...
Some HOPEFUL NEWS
The Department of Defense funds biomedical research to ensure military and pandemic preparedness.
This includes mRNA vaccine projects that RFK, Jr., recently defunded
www.scientificamerican.com/article/u-s-...
The U.S. Military Is Picking Up mRNA Vaccine Research That RFK, Jr., Defunded
The Department of Defense funds biomedical research to ensure military and pandemic preparedness. This includes mRNA vaccine projects that RFK, Jr., recently defunded
www.scientificamerican.com
October 1, 2025 at 4:39 PM
Finally.
Some HOPEFUL NEWS
The Department of Defense funds biomedical research to ensure military and pandemic preparedness.
This includes mRNA vaccine projects that RFK, Jr., recently defunded
www.scientificamerican.com/article/u-s-...
Some HOPEFUL NEWS
The Department of Defense funds biomedical research to ensure military and pandemic preparedness.
This includes mRNA vaccine projects that RFK, Jr., recently defunded
www.scientificamerican.com/article/u-s-...
😰 SOBERING
How many patients LEFT EMERGENCY ROOMS without being seen last year?
Overall- 1 in 13 got fed up with the wait
...HALF were urgent cases
Result?
14% ⤴️ RISK of admission & death within 7 days compared to those who stayed
🎧8 min
www.cbc.ca/listen/live-...
How many patients LEFT EMERGENCY ROOMS without being seen last year?
Overall- 1 in 13 got fed up with the wait
...HALF were urgent cases
Result?
14% ⤴️ RISK of admission & death within 7 days compared to those who stayed
🎧8 min
www.cbc.ca/listen/live-...
October 1, 2025 at 2:35 PM
😰 SOBERING
How many patients LEFT EMERGENCY ROOMS without being seen last year?
Overall- 1 in 13 got fed up with the wait
...HALF were urgent cases
Result?
14% ⤴️ RISK of admission & death within 7 days compared to those who stayed
🎧8 min
www.cbc.ca/listen/live-...
How many patients LEFT EMERGENCY ROOMS without being seen last year?
Overall- 1 in 13 got fed up with the wait
...HALF were urgent cases
Result?
14% ⤴️ RISK of admission & death within 7 days compared to those who stayed
🎧8 min
www.cbc.ca/listen/live-...
💉 FLU SHOTS IN TORONTO
...will be available SOONER than expected
...will be available SOONER than expected
September 29, 2025 at 2:12 PM
💉 FLU SHOTS IN TORONTO
...will be available SOONER than expected
...will be available SOONER than expected
Meta & TikTok's finances + teen addiction are linked.
The predictable product?
Worsening teen mental health & growing
-Anxiety
-Depression
-Low self esteem
-Body dysmorphia
-Eating disorders
-Over-sexualization
...problems which overwhelm our health system
The predictable product?
Worsening teen mental health & growing
-Anxiety
-Depression
-Low self esteem
-Body dysmorphia
-Eating disorders
-Over-sexualization
...problems which overwhelm our health system
Thus far, in governments' quest to protect kids from the increasingly-evident harms of social media, we've tried:
-Befriending big tech
-Sending sternly-worded letters
-Pretending it's fine
-Nothing
None of it's worked! Let's try something else. www.thestar.com/opinion/cont...
-Befriending big tech
-Sending sternly-worded letters
-Pretending it's fine
-Nothing
None of it's worked! Let's try something else. www.thestar.com/opinion/cont...
Justin Ling: Meta and TikTok say they take kids’ safety seriously. Their actions suggest otherwise
The official company line is often contradicted by the companies' own internal documents.
www.thestar.com
September 27, 2025 at 2:26 PM
Meta & TikTok's finances + teen addiction are linked.
The predictable product?
Worsening teen mental health & growing
-Anxiety
-Depression
-Low self esteem
-Body dysmorphia
-Eating disorders
-Over-sexualization
...problems which overwhelm our health system
The predictable product?
Worsening teen mental health & growing
-Anxiety
-Depression
-Low self esteem
-Body dysmorphia
-Eating disorders
-Over-sexualization
...problems which overwhelm our health system
😨 Next year 1 in 4 Ontarians
won’t have a family doctor
There aren’t nearly enough primary care clinicians to hire our way out of this.
Modernizing electronic health records could inform, connect & accelerate access to medical services.
won’t have a family doctor
There aren’t nearly enough primary care clinicians to hire our way out of this.
Modernizing electronic health records could inform, connect & accelerate access to medical services.
As the family doctor and nursing shortage gets worse, here is an innovative solution that will help www.thestar.com/opinion/cont...
More news → CanadaHealthwatch.ca 🍁
More news → CanadaHealthwatch.ca 🍁
September 26, 2025 at 4:41 PM
😨 Next year 1 in 4 Ontarians
won’t have a family doctor
There aren’t nearly enough primary care clinicians to hire our way out of this.
Modernizing electronic health records could inform, connect & accelerate access to medical services.
won’t have a family doctor
There aren’t nearly enough primary care clinicians to hire our way out of this.
Modernizing electronic health records could inform, connect & accelerate access to medical services.
😨 Starting Oct 1, 2025, the U.S. will slap a 100% tariff on imported branded/patented drugs.
Generics are exempt (for now), as are firms building U.S. plants.
This could drive Rx costs even higher
— and disrupt 🇨🇦 drug supply chains
www.theglobeandmail.com/business/art...
Generics are exempt (for now), as are firms building U.S. plants.
This could drive Rx costs even higher
— and disrupt 🇨🇦 drug supply chains
www.theglobeandmail.com/business/art...
Trump targets heavy-duty trucks, pharmaceuticals in latest round of punishing tariffs
U.S. will impose 100% tariffs on imported branded drugs, 25% tariff on truck imports and 50% on kitchen cabinets
www.theglobeandmail.com
September 26, 2025 at 11:22 AM
😨 Starting Oct 1, 2025, the U.S. will slap a 100% tariff on imported branded/patented drugs.
Generics are exempt (for now), as are firms building U.S. plants.
This could drive Rx costs even higher
— and disrupt 🇨🇦 drug supply chains
www.theglobeandmail.com/business/art...
Generics are exempt (for now), as are firms building U.S. plants.
This could drive Rx costs even higher
— and disrupt 🇨🇦 drug supply chains
www.theglobeandmail.com/business/art...
Reposted by Iris Gorfinkel, M.D.
Excellent interview by @drgorfinkel.bsky.social on the importance of masks
www.cbc.ca/listen/live-...
www.cbc.ca/listen/live-...
© CBC/Radio-Canada 2025. All rights reserved.
www.cbc.ca
September 25, 2025 at 9:06 PM
Excellent interview by @drgorfinkel.bsky.social on the importance of masks
www.cbc.ca/listen/live-...
www.cbc.ca/listen/live-...