We are spending more for private health care

A report released yesterday says Canadians are spending more out of their own pocket on health care than they were 25 years ago, increasing the risk for financial crisis during illness.

The report prepared for Nova Scotia think tank GPI Atlantic says we spent $452 per capita on health care in 2007, compared to $222 in 1981. A total of $16.5 billion was spent for private health care, including drugs, dental and eye care.

Those in Newfoundland spent the smallest percentage, with Ontario, Nova Scotia and Alberta close behind.

MDs need to better diagnose depression

Researchers suggest doctors should be able to better diagnose depression in Chinese and other East Asian patients by becoming more aware of cultural differences.

The study by Canadian and Chinese scientists of more than 200 patients from the two nations found that Chinese patients tended to talk more about the physical manifestations of depression and less about psychological symptoms.

Experts say one reason may be that any mental illness carries a strong stigma in Asian cultures.

Physical activity may help slow brain shrinkage

A study suggests exercise may help slow brain shrinkage in people with early Alzheimer's disease.

Participants who were more physically fit had less brain shrinkage than less-fit participants.

However, they didn't do significantly better on mental performance tests, said study author Dr. Jeffrey Burns of the University of Kansas School of Medicine.