Mathematical modelling for pandemic preparedness in Canada: Learning from COVID-19.

Background: The COVID-19 pandemic underlined the need for pandemic planning but also brought into focus the use of mathematical modelling to support public health decisions. The types of models needed (compartment, agent-based, importation) are described. Best practices regarding biological realism (including the need for multidisciplinary expert advisors to modellers), model complexity, consideration of uncertainty and communications to decision-makers and the public are outlined.

One Health communication channels: a qualitative case study of swine influenza in Canada in 2020.

Background: With increased attention to the importance of integrating the One Health approach into zoonotic disease surveillance and response, a greater understanding of the mechanisms to support effective communication and information sharing across animal and human health sectors is needed. The objectives of this qualitative case study were to describe the communication channels used between human and animal health stakeholders and to identify the elements that have enabled the integration of the One Health approach.

Methods: We combined documentary research with interviews with fifteen stakeholders to map the communication channels used in human and swine influenza surveillance in Alberta, Canada, as well as in the response to a human case of H1N2v in 2020.

Older husbands as caregivers of their wives: a descriptive study of the context and relational aspects of care.

The purpose of this study was to describe the context and relational aspects that characterize male caregiving. The sample comprised 323 older husbands caring for their wives in Quebec (Canada). Nearly 60% of them spent at least 84 h/week caregiving and about 40% regularly performed personal care and instrumental tasks.

[Concepts and models of aging well].

For a few years, the image associated with the ageing process has been more positive: expressions such as << successful aging >>, << well aging >> or << healthy aging >> are more frequently used in relation to aging. However, there is still a lack of consensus on this appealing and challenging concept. Therefore, we present an overview of its definition, psychosocial determinants and conceptual models.