Introduction Firearm-related injury and death are leading yet preventable causes of premature death in Canada. Our objective was to identify knowledge gaps and research priorities to inform a national research agenda to prevent firearm-related injury and death. Methods In a two-stage process, nominal group technique was used to encourage experts in firearm injury and death (N = 15) to generate ideas relevant to knowledge gaps in three areas: unintentional firearm injury, intimate partner violence (IPV)/femicide and other firearm-related assaults. Relevant parties (N = 43) subsequently voted on the identified gaps to determine top priorities for future research. Results In Stage 1, the experts identified 22 knowledge gaps in unintentional firearm injury, 16 in IPV-related firearm injury/femicide and 33 in other assault-related firearm injuries. Based on their importance and feasibility as research projects, they then selected five, three and seven, respectively, of these knowledge gaps. In Stage 2, the top priorities for future research emerged: the economic cost of firearm injuries to victims’ families and communities and Canadian society; the impact of social policies and legislation aimed at reducing IPV/femicide-related firearm injuries and deaths; and a description of the available and required Canadian firearm-injury data. Conclusion The top priorities highlight the large and diverse gaps in knowledge about firearm injury and death in Canada. This marks the first step toward developing a national research agenda for firearm-related injuries. Next steps include operationalizing these gaps into research questions, identifying data sources and methodological approaches, and choosing knowledge translation strategies.

Introduction Although social prescribing is a growing global health and social movement, no Delphi studies have determined which outcomes are critical to assess. Our aim was to identify a core outcome set based on feedback from diverse user groups of people who could be affected by (e.g. adults ≥ 60 years) or who can affect (e.g. providers, researchers) social prescribing. Methods : Following standard guidelines for Delphi studies, we developed a two-round online survey with a focus on Canadian perspectives. We asked participants to rate 21 outcomes as “critical” (7–9 on a 9-point scale), “important but not critical” (4–6 points) or “not important” (1–3 points). We provide a subgroup description of findings from older adult/family and friend perspectives. Results Round 1 was completed by 74 people from 10 user groups and Round 2 by 52 people from eight user groups (70% retention). Ratings between rounds were generally consistent. Seven outcomes met the “critical” threshold. No outcomes were excluded. Critical outcomes focused on mental health, physical and social functioning, and well-being. Participants commented on environmental (e.g. resources, care delivery) and equity factors. Conclusion This study identified seven critical outcomes to consider in evaluations of social prescribing research and interventions. Future investigations should investigate how contextual and personal factors might influence outcomes and identify specific instruments (e.g. questionnaires, performance-based tests) to assess each outcome. Identification of outcomes is a continuous process, requiring regular updates as results may change due the ongoing evolution of social prescribing and other factors.

Introduction The COVID-19 pandemic and associated public health measures (PHMs) potentially affected alcohol consumption. Our objectives were to evaluate if adherence to PHMs was associated with changes in alcohol consumption and binge drinking during the COVID-19 pandemic. Methods A prospective cohort study was conducted with participants (50–96 years) in the Canadian Longitudinal Study on Aging (N = 23 615). Adjusted odds ratios (aORs) were estimated from multinomial logistic regression models for associations between PHM adherence (self-quarantine, attending public gatherings, leaving home, mask wearing and handwashing) and self-reported changes in alcohol consumption during the first year of the pandemic and prospectively measured changes in alcohol consumption frequency and frequency of binge-drinking events from 2015–2018 to 2020. Results During the first year of the pandemic, 13% (n = 2733) of participants self-reported increased alcohol consumption, while 13% (n = 2921) self-reported decreased consumption. Prospective measures suggested 19.1% (n = 4421) increased and 34.5% (n = 7971) decreased consumption frequency, while 12.9% (n = 1427) increased and 17.6% (n = 1953) decreased frequency of binge-drinking events. High PHM adherence, compared to low, was associated with higher odds of decreased alcohol consumption frequency (aOR = 1.17; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.06–1.30). No associations were observed between PHM adherence and self-reported change in alcohol consumption or frequency of binge-drinking events. Associations were consistent across socioeconomic groups. Conclusion PHM adherence was associated with decreased, and not increased, frequency of alcohol consumption by adults aged 50–96 years in the first year of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Abstract Ingestion of button batteries poses an acute life-threatening injury risk, particularly for small children. The Canadian Surveillance System for Poison Information reported 1021 single-substance button-battery ingestion cases from 2020 to 2023, and the British Columbia Drug and Poison Information Centre (DPIC) managed 548 unintentional ingestion cases from 2013 to 2023. Nearly all the DPIC cases required hospital admission for X-ray imaging, and seven patients required surgical removal of the battery from the esophagus. Our findings support developing product warning labels and enforcing child-resistant battery packaging and compartments on consumer products.

Abstract In this ecological study we examined associations between Google Trends (GT) suicide-related Internet searches and intentional self-harm hospitalizations and suicide mortality in Canada from 31 December 2017 to 31 March 2022. Hospitalizations and mortality data were from the Discharge Abstract Database and Vital Statistics - Death database. Cross-correlations identified lead periods, adjusted for in negative binomial regressions. GT of the search term “how to kill yourself” showed weak positive associations with self-harm hospitalizations. GT of the search terms “commit suicide,” “how to commit suicide” and “how to kill yourself” showed weak positive associations with suicide mortality. Additional research is needed to determine the usefulness of GT in monitoring self-harm and suicide.