Answering Enquiries from Patient Support Groups: EHI-Canada responds to questions from support groups submitted by e-mail, or refers to someone knowledgeable. EHI-Canada also encourages patient support groups by editing their letters requesting help.
International Association of Chronic Fatigue Syndrome/Myalgic Encephalomyelitis (IACFS/ME)-Both Dr. Alison Bested and Dr. Lynn Marshall attended the 2014 conference in San Francisco, California, and Dr. Bested attended the conference in Ottawa in September 2011 and presented at a public forum that was part of the conference. Topics covered at the conferences included virology, exercise physiology, immunology, epidemiology, pediatrics, genomics and neuro-endocrine function, as well as diagnostic and treatment issues. Health professionals from 18 countries attended. Dr. Bested is a member of IACFS/ME, and was part of the Health Canada-selected international panel that published ME/CFS: Clinical working Case Definition, Diagnostic and Treatment Protocols in 2003.
Translation of Environmental Sensitivities/Multiple Chemical Sensitivity Status Report into German, at the request of a German support group in 2014. Translation and review were arranged by Dr. Annette Lorenz.
Environmental Health Association of Ontario- Dr. Lynn Marshall is a member and, at the request of the EHAO in 2011, she and the other doctors at the Environmental Health Clinic wrote the ES/MCS Status Report. She organized meetings with consumer representatives at the Environmental Health Clinic, February 27 and April 14, 2009, and six teleconference meetings in 2010 about the multiple needs of those with environmental sensitivities.
Myalgic Encephalomyelitis Association of Ontario (MEAO)- Dr. Alison Bested is a long-standing Medical Advisor and Dr. Lynn Marshall a Member since 2007. In 2013-14, EHI-Canada and CELA sponsored their teleconferences about needs for increase in health/social services.
The National ME/FM Action Network- n 2011, the Network analysed data from the 2010 Canadian Community Health Survey (Statistics Canada) regarding the prevalence of myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome, fibromyalgia and environmental sensitivities in comparison with the 2005 Canadian Community Health Survey results and the prevalence of other chronic diseases. The data show a high prevalence and indications of a high degree of disability and will be helpful to raise awareness of the plight of those with these conditions who are underserved in the health and social service systems, and often impoverished. EHI-Canada helped to disseminate the findings.
Canadian Partnership for Children’s Health and Environment, with EHI-Canada as a partner, and Ontario Chronic Disease Prevention Alliance met together In October 2010 as part of the Ontario Trillium Foundation 3-year grant, and a joint statement of participants and 13 organizations, including CPCHE, was issued to an international conference sponsored by the Government of Canada on Bisphenol-A- A Statement of Health and Environment Organizations on Endocrine Disrupting Chemicals.
Centre for Equality Rights in Accommodation (CERA)– Dr. Lynn Marshall met with CERA staff on February 17, 2010 and March 1, 2010 re environmental sensitivity patients’ housing issues, and participated in teleconferences on March 10 and19, 2010 with representatives from CERA, federal, provincial and municipal governments, a building biologist, and MCS consumer advocates.