Health

Woman wears VR headset and gloves as another woman watches
Psychology and computer science students are advancing brain injury rehabilitation.
Couple having a picnic with smog-clouded city skyline in background
Those who produce pollution should pay for cleaning up any environmental damage.
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Understanding Alzheimer’s resilience could be the key to finding treatment.
Three young women taking a selfie together
A UBC study reveals how using social media intentionally could actually boost our wellbeing.
Annie Ciernia standing outside the Djavad Mowafaghian Centre for Brain Health
UBC researchers are decoding the factors that cause autism spectrum disorder.
Mountain biker riding bike on rocky path overlooking mountains
An alarming number of people suffer spinal cord injuries while mountain biking.
An orange graphic of a person with a dial in their head against a blue background.
Moral values are malleable and can sometimes change.
A person in a lab coat holding up a blue-violet crystalline structure

UBC is a central player in Canada’s medical biotech boom.

Young people sitting in a row outside looking at smartphones
Mental health may depend on how social media is used rather than how much it is used.
Dr. Varada Kolhatkar (right) seated cross-legged on a classroom floor, with other students seated in similar fashion
How a UBC prof is cultivating a culture of mindfulness and wellbeing in her classroom.
Two men look at device in an industrial lab
UBC Okanagan is taking an artful approach to tackle indoor air quality.
Mother putting lunchbox into boy's backpack
Many underestimate the complexity, time, effort, and significance of this daily work.
A baby sits in the lap of a nurse who is holding an oxygen mask
Will we one day be able to cure — not just mitigate — allergies?
Illustration of hand holding lightbulb with plant growing inside
UBC researchers are thinking outside the box to sustainably solve world problems.
Woman sitting facing city shrouded in haze
Learn about the health risks posed by wildfire smoke and how you can protect yourself.
Boy climbing tree
Risky outdoor play is essential to your child’s health and overall development.
Man in shorts jogging along path in forest
Here’s why it’s important to adapt your exercise routine to the weather conditions.
Audience facing stage amid confetti and lights at concert
Prolonged exposure to sounds at or above 85 decibels can cause hearing damage.
Woman at beach applying sunscreen on herself
A UBC Dermatology professor debunks common sunscreen myths.
A headshot of Dr. Raymond Ng with dark green glasses, short black hair, and a blue collared shirt against a black backgroun.

Raymond Ng is using NLP to streamline complex processes and improve patient outcomes.

A headshot of Dr. Teresa Tsang with black glasses, short brown hair, and a purple collared shirt.

Cardiologist Teresa Tsang is using AI to advance and democratize cardiac imaging in BC.

An illustration composed of multiple graphics, including a purple-haired person looking at brain imagery, a person going into an MRI machine, a petri dish on a table, and a DNA strand.

Five UBC medical breakthroughs powered by AI.

James Lim standing in a lab
A UBC research team is helping to bring new hope to children battling hard-to-treat cancers.
Woman in suit stands in gym with exercise machines
Small Steps for Big Changes is available in Portugal and will be launched in Australia.
Youths bouncing basketballs on a court in a gym
Overstating the benefits of sports risks obscuring systemic problems.
Row of industrial fans in a building
Airflow dynamics are as vital as the volume of airflow.
Shot of Dr. Lesley Lutes starting at camera, seated in a chair
Dr. Lesley Lutes envisions a future where everyone can access psychological care when needed.
Fingers holding chip technology with blue and red dots and lines
Organ model technologies can help address the challenges of drug development.
Bird's eye view of people walking up stairwell
Stairclimbing between meetings can help improve physical health.
Scott Ramsay, with arms folded standing in front of windows
This former professional athlete has faced a battle with post-concussion syndrome.
Graphic illustration depicting a student standing within a large bookshelf
Anxiety and depression are widespread among students. Supporting mental health is a priority.
Four diners eating several plates of food at restaurant table
Want to learn how you can change your diet to reduce your chance of disease?
Diver underwater
Dr. Phil Ainslie and his team dive into research related to human performance and survival.
Man in sports jacket standing by tree in forest
Problems arise when eco-anxiety reaches unhealthy and debilitating levels.
Six health-care workers stand in front of wall with Ukrainian signs
Despite the risks, two UBC doctors plan on continuing to help Ukraine.
Three people stand before a tree in a forest
UBC researchers are investigating what make us more vulnerable to climate change.
Several women soccer players chasing ball on field
Injuries shed light on gender disparities in sport and the need for immediate action.
Aerial shot of parents lying on bed with baby between them
When welcoming a new baby, parents can face challenges in sex and romance.
Woman sits curled up on chair facing window
New research points to opportunities that can help break people out of feedback loops.
Male therapist with clipboard listening to young man
More men are seeking mental health help, but traditional counselling often fails them.
Group of four young people eating and drinking on benches
A typical student diet of high-sugar or high-calorie foods can become a long-term issue.
Two people at a table with dishes of South Asian food
Westernization may change the gut microbiome of Indian immigrants.
Dr. Kalina Christoff sitting down with a background showing some daydream-themed illustrations
It’s time to put down your phone and let your mind wander.
Illustration of the upper half of the human body, with colourful diagrams showing brain and the stomach
The human gut contains more nerve cells than the spinal cord and exerts influence on the brain.
Tanya Bennet, a PhD student in Biomedical Engineering, uses a pipet while working on the development of an in vitro model of the injured spinal cord
Serious disorders affecting the brain and nervous system can be complex to treat.
Illustration of a person who is stressed out while holding their head with one hand and multiple bills with the other
The links between stress and depression are strong and mysterious.
Professor Guangyu Wang standing in a forest, looking up at the trees
Connecting with nature, particularly in forests, can benefit our mental and physical health.
Illustration of a baby crawling, with symbols representing DNA and genes by the baby's brain

Unravelling the mysteries of gene expression in early brain development.

Asian scientist in lab squeezes dropper above container
This hub positions Canada as an epicentre for next-generation immune-based therapeutics.
Several illustrations of vials, needles, testing, doctor looking at lung scan on screen, and more
Here’s a look back at several notable COVID-19 initiatives and research from UBC.
Three lines of white powder (drugs) with credit card and rolled dollar bill
Stigma surrounding drug use and addiction impacts health and treatment outcomes.
Two rows of cars in traffic jam with exhaust arising
This study found that even brief exposure to air pollution rapidly impacts the brain.
Woman holding her hand up to a holographic brain
Research from the UBC Faculty of Medicine could stop the disease in its tracks.
Dr. Jimena Perez-Vargas working in a lab
This discovery paves the way for new medicines for COVID-19 variants.
Photo by Camilla Carvalho / Unsplash
Here’s how men can find healthy ways to recover from a partner-initiated breakup.
Three UBC researchers in a lab
This remarkable donation is the world’s largest known gift for MS research and care.
an illustration of an astronaut in space, surrounded by food

A UBC prof tackles the challenge of adequate nutrition for astronauts.

a photo of various fruits and vegetables

Diet and health are closely linked, but how does nutrition affect specific diseases?

Headshot of Dolma Tsundu

Engineer devises a tool to protect pregnant women and their babies.

A baby's two feet cradled between an adult's two hands
Prevention programs have a lot of promise but require extremely early action.
Large plume of smoke from factory complex expands across sky
UBC researchers analyzed the relationship between air pollutant levels and mortality.
Photo of UBC rugby athlete Rori Wood.
New UBC research could make concussion diagnosis, treatment, and prevention more effective.
Gloved hand holds blood vial above holder containing other vials
A new blood test provides unprecedented insight into a patient’s cancer make-up.
Legs of hockey players and referee on ice as puck drops
Cultural and systemic factors affect professional men’s ice-hockey players seeking help.
Smiling doctor in room (facing a woman slightly off-camera) with monitor displaying brain scan images
UBC researchers are navigating what’s called “the last and grandest biological frontier.”
VH Ab6 antibody fragment attaches to SARS-CoV-2 spike protein to block virus from binding with human ACE2 cell receptor
Neutralizing antibodies can target the weakness, paving the way for treatments.
Girl sits in a clinic watching healthcare worker apply band-aid to her shoulder
A UBC pediatrics prof answers questions for parents seeking vaccination information.
Young woman sitting against wall on hallway floor with hand on head and holding smartphone
Crisis text lines appear to be a promising way of providing support.
Patient in hospital with IV tube attached to hand holds pregnant stomach
Pregnant people of minoritized racial identities experience more pressure from providers.
Cat stands alert on concrete wall in yard
Free-roaming domestic animals can transfer infectious parasites and diseases like rabies.
A nurse giving a shot to a patient.
Dr. Horacio Bach discusses vaccination against the latest variants of SARS-CoV-2.
Stack of chocolate cookies on a plate, with peanuts and crumbs beside it
The earlier that pre-schoolers start this treatment, the better.
Scientist in protective body suit tests wastewater at outdoor treatment facility
Wastewater surveillance involves testing sewage to obtain data about population health.
Women in red robes and white bonnets pray on steps in The Handmaid's Tale
Writers have explored how abortion becomes entangled with how we shape the future.
An illustration of cities enclosed in bubbles
UBC researchers are helping us imagine a city where people feel more connected.
A woman sits looking out of a window at trees
Trees and green spaces are an antidote for the stressors of modern life.
Nurse in PPE suit pours liquid into tube at patient's bed in hospital
A UBC prof examined all unexpected deaths in Canada during the pandemic’s first 19 months.
Dr. Sana Shahram standing in front of an orange butterfly mural wall.
A UBCO professor’s passion for change manifests in equity-driven community research.
Three men on bikes cycling through a forest
Anchoring dialogue about mental health to fun activities could be the key.
A nurse works in her office as a student approaches her.
UBCO’s collaboration with the community breaks down barriers to harm reduction services.