1: CLL and Skin Cancer Risk — A Dangerous Overlap

A cohort study of over 8K patients with chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) found these patients face a significantly higher risk of developing skin cancer compared to individuals without CLL. They also had a higher risk of skin cancer–related metastasis and death. These findings highlight CLL patients as a vulnerable population who may benefit from increased prevention and surveillance to reduce skin cancer risk and outcomes.

2: Flu Outbreak Control in Nursing Homes — Timing Matters

A cohort study of 400+ influenza outbreaks across 318 nursing homes examined whether prompt, intensive antiviral prophylaxis could reduce mortality and hospitalization compared to a more lax approach. Administering oseltamivir to 70%+ of residents within 2 days of outbreak detection markedly reduced influenza-related hospitalizations, though not deaths. The findings suggest that in outbreak settings, early and intensive prophylaxis may offer the greatest benefit — particularly in high-risk populations like nursing home residents.

For many patients, mental health conversations begin in primary care, but even with a recommendation from their doctor to pursue therapy, finding the right therapist can delay access. Layla Care helps bridge that gap.

Across 6,000+ physician referrals and 25,000+ individuals seeking care with Layla, patients referred by primary care are 47% more likely to access support within 6 months of symptom onset than those who self-refer. Earlier referrals mean earlier care, and a meaningful shift in how patient mental health journeys begin.

Our care team supports patients through a guided matching process, narrowing down therapist options based on their clinical needs, goals and preferences, and availability. Patients receive a small set of highly aligned matches and they then choose the right fit for them.

Layla’s community of licensed providers include psychologists, social workers, and
psychotherapists with an average of 10 years of experience. Every therapist is rigorously vetted, with only ~20% accepted into our network based on clinical quality, experience, and alignment with our standards of care.

Our services include individual, and couples therapy, as well as diagnostic psychological assessments and a lower-cost therapy program.

Layla builds on the trust you’ve already established, helping your patients access the help they need, when they need it.

Health misinformation is coming from some unexpected places

What happened: A new study found that US health and government organizations paid for more than 10% of ads that promote health misinformation.

Why it matters:  Online misinformation — including false vaccine claims and unproven remedies — can undermine scientific trust and lead to direct patient harm. Between 2021 and 2024, an estimated $35.7 million USD in ad revenue flowed to 11 specific websites known for spreading medical myths.

The study found that while the majority of this revenue came from wellness and supplement brands (spending over $19M on ads for digestion or weight-loss "boosters"), more than 10% was traced back to reputable sources. This includes the American Heart Association (AHA), the Alzheimer’s Association, and even the US Department of Health and Human Services. On average, the AHA and the Alzheimer’s Association each spent around $25K USD annually on these placements.

But: But these placements were largely unintentional. When organizations use automated "programmatic" advertising, algorithms prioritize reaching a specific audience (like people interested in heart health) over vetting the credibility of the host website. As a result, a gold-standard health campaign can accidentally end up parked next to a conspiracy theory.

Both the AHA and the Alzheimer’s Association said they are working to strengthen oversight of where their ads land. Meanwhile, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services has pledged to prioritize evidence-based science to restore public trust. Doctors urge anyone unsure of the credibility of a health website to reach out to their physician or another trusted professional. 

Bottom line: Stricter ad-oversight is more important than ever. That’s why health and government officials need to work together so that taxpayer-funded messages don’t accidentally fuel the very misinformation they aim to combat.  

1: 🦠 Invasive meningococcal disease (IMD) cases are hitting a decade-high in Canada, with early 2026 numbers already climbing well past pre-pandemic levels. While a rebound of infectious diseases was expected, health officials are pointing to a dip in routine vaccination coverage as a major driver behind the spike. The infection carries a 14% mortality rate, and 20% of survivors face long-term neurological damage. Since IMD can look like a simple flu until it suddenly isn't, now is the time to double-check that your pediatric and teen patients haven't missed their routine shots.

2: 🇪🇺 Could we swap loonies for Euros? A recent poll suggests there’s a surprisingly broad openness to the idea if Canada joining the EU on both sides of the Atlantic. While thousands of kilometres of ocean and a different currency remain obvious hurdles, the survey found that a majority of Canadians and Europeans see a potential partnership as a way to bolster economic security and shared democratic values. It’s a long-shot geopolitical "what if," but the findings reflect a growing desire for deeper integration with stable, like-minded allies in an increasingly volatile global market.

3:  💊 Oral GLP-1s are one step closer to your patient's medicine cabinet. The FDA approved Eli Lilly’s weight-loss pill, Foundayo, for use in the US this week. Unlike the current weekly injections, this daily pill is a non-peptide, meaning it doesn’t require cold-chain storage and is significantly easier to manufacture — a potential game-changer for the persistent supply shortages we’ve seen. While it hasn’t been filed with Health Canada just yet, the American green light usually sets the clock ticking for a domestic debut. 

4: 🚀 Artemis II just sent humans farther from Earth than ever before. On Monday, the Orion spacecraft reached 406,771 kilometres, breaking Apollo 13’s 1970 record, before looping around the moon and heading home. The crew also became the first to see parts of the moon’s far side with the naked eye. Canadian astronaut Jeremy Hansen is on board, now part of the farthest-travelled crew in history. It’s officially a test flight — no landing, no orbit — but it’s also the first time in more than 50 years that humans have pushed this far into deep space.

US$150: the potential price of a barrel of oil if Middle East tensions continue to escalate, according to a new BMO report. Analysts warn such a spike could reignite inflation and force the Bank of Canada to keep interest rates higher for longer.

250%: the projected growth of US women’s sports revenue by 2030 — a $2.5 billion opportunity. According to a recent McKinsey analysis, revenue grew 4.5× faster for women’s sports than men’s between 2022 and 2024. Even with those numbers, the sector still makes up less than 2% of the total US sports market.

25: the number of world-class sandwiches recently ranked in a new global best of list, which includes Montreal’s smoked meat. Japan’s katsu sando may be a bit far, but there are enough in North America to plan a sandwich road trip.

🎓 Learn: how to navigate the shifting GLP-1 landscape. Join Dr. Sean Wharton on April 30th for a deep dive into the latest clinical data. This webinar moves beyond the scale to explore systemic, multi-organ benefits and a blueprint for total metabolic health.

🍳 Make: this garlic-butter shrimp scampi. Tossed with lemon, white wine, and fresh parsley, this elegant 15-minute pasta is the perfect emergency weeknight dinner for when you're short on time but still want a quality meal.

🤑 Save: on BBQs and patio furniture at RONA this week. With spring teasing a permanent stay, it’s the perfect time to snag early-season deals on grills and outdoor sets before the summer rush begins.

📖 Read: generational wealth wisdom. A refreshingly blunt look at why the old-school rules of patience and spending less than you earn are still the only reliable ways to survive a high-debt, high-inflation medical career.

📺 Watch: a test of the laziest kitchen gadgets. From $1,700 cooking robots to microwave pasta boxes, this deep dive reveals which viral tools actually aid accessibility and efficiency, and which ones just produce rubbery "hospital eggs."

🌍 Travel: this remote cloud forest retreat in Costa Rica. With 180-degree views, wood-fired hot tubs, and absolute seclusion, it’s the ultimate spot for trading digital noise for high-altitude serenity.

First clue: Gastrocnemius, soleus, and plantaris area

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