Brain drain

Ipsos-Reid research did a survey for the Department of Citizenship and Immigration of Canada to track perceptions of brain drain. It refers to well-trained and educated Canadians leaving the country for more favorable economic or professional opportunities.

The end result was revealing because three out of four Canadians stated their familiarity about brain drain and 84 percent feel that it is a serious problem. Majority of Canadians believe that doctor and engineer shortages should be filled with immigrants.

The exodus of Canadian doctors to the United States has slowed in recent years. However, a large proportion of those emigrating graduated 15 years ago or less, and most are specialists. Extremely expensive malpractice insurance rates, a dysfunctional medicare system, high crime rates and racial tensions are some of the major reasons for doctors emigrating or returning after few years, from the US to Canada.

A Canadian Press article truly intrigued me because it has always been my belief that some relatives are bad news and can be more destructive than constructive. Unfortunately, we can’t choose our family but fortunately we can choose our friends. A new study suggested that if we want to live a long life, one should focus on friends. In short, having a strong network of friends (not blood relatives) help us more than having relatives and children… that friendships are so important to survival.

A Toronto geriatrician said the concept makes sense, since the researchers did not look at whether there was a difference between supportive children and children whose demands or lifestyles create stress or conflict for their aging parents.

In his practice, the doctor said he saw a lot of children who are very good. And a lot of children who are more interested in making sure their inheritance is protected. With friends, there’s freedom of choice and a selective process.

It’s been confirmed that social interaction is important as we get older. That a wide social network is vital and it is not only about children and relatives in later life.

Eating well, meaning more vegetables in the diet, must be one of the reasons why Canadians live longer. A good example is British Columbia where the population is getting larger and older. Between 2001 and 2031, the population will have increased by over 36 percent. The average age of the population will have increased from 37.9 to 45.2 years. Last year, Canada’s population surpassed 32 million (32,078, 819 to be exact). Ontario’s 12.5 million puts them at the top of population, followed by Quebec, B.C., Alberta, Manitoba, Saskatchewan, Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, Newfoundland and Labrador.

The Da Vinci Code, the international best-seller that explored the theory that Jesus Christ fathered a line of descendants on earth was read by over 5.2 million Canadians, according to a new survey of the National Geographic Channel. The survey was conducted to coincide with the 15-hour broadcast on the National Geographic Channel of Da Vinci Code.

About 32 percent of Canadian readers or 1.7 million believe the storyline that a holy bloodline exists and that this secret has been protected through the ages by a dedicated society.

Canadians are becoming even more negative about the United States and Americans, viewing them as rude, greedy and violent if we’re to believe the findings of the Pew Research Center. And while majority of Canadians agreed Americans are inventive and hardworking, less than half called them honest.

A low opinion of President Bush was a key issue among those with unfavorable ratings of the US, with 54 percent of Canadians saying he’s the problem, down from 60 percent in 2003.

Warning to all sun worshippers, the Canadians Dermatology Association warned that no tan is a good tan, since all exposure to solar radiation, whether from the sun or a tanning lamp damages the skin to some extent. For anyone eager to get a tan, and risk skin cancer, this summer is shaping to be sunnier.