February 22, 2021
COVID-19: L’opposition ne ménage plus ses critiques sur la Santé publique
Quoique l’on convienne qu’il s’agit du rôle des élus d’opposition de poser des questions aux membres du gouvernement sur la lutte contre la COVID-19, la Dre Lavoie invite les élus de l’opposition à jouer de prudence dans leurs interventions.
February 8, 2021
Le monde contre la COVID – Émission Découverte
Le Dr Simon Bacon a participé à une émission entièrement consacrée à la COVID-19 diffusée sur les ondes d’ICI Radio Canada où l’on parle des stratégies gagnantes et perdantes à travers le monde et au Canada.
February 3, 2021
Loosening COVID-19 restrictions could undermine recent progress, experts warn
Dr. Lavoie explains that her concern is we’re going to be right back where we started in three weeks, because we’re nowhere near where she thinks we need to be to justify any loosening of restrictions.
January 19, 2021
Too early to say if Quebec’s drop in COVID-19 cases will continue, experts say
“The big question is going to be will we see the upsurge in cases two weeks from now when schools are back in full flow as we saw in the September period,” Dr. Simon Bacon explained “My projection is we will see another week and a half of downward trend before it comes up again.”
January 14, 2021
Faire mieux grâce aux tests rapides de dépistage
Dre Kim Lavoie co-signataire d’un texte proposant plutôt que de se placer uniquement dans une logique diagnostique avec des tests de précision réalisés en laboratoire, les tests rapides permettent de développer une logique de santé publique et de gestion de risque.
January 13, 2021
Calling for more transparency about basis of health authority lockdown decisions
As Ontario moves into a new lockdown, Dr. Simon Bacon comments that the basis of these decisions should be communicated to improve adherence.
January 10, 2021
Cacher la vérité à la santé publique : un comportement prévisible, mais évitable
“La honte et la culpabilité sont des émotions négatives des plus fortes. C’est à la base de notre tendance à mentir”, explique la Dre Lavoie devant une proportion importante de gens atteints de la COVID-19 qui cachent de l’information à la santé publique.
January 8, 2021
Reconfiner le Québec : entrevue avec Kim Lavoie
Le Québec doit retourner en confinement : comment susciter l’adhésion de la population? Entrevue avec Kim Lavoie, titulaire de la chaire de recherche du Canada en médecine comportementale et professeure titulaire à l’UQAM.
January 7, 2021
Canadian doctors worry about school safety ahead of reopening
“What [the government mandates] sends a clear message about what is necessary,” said Dr. Lavoie, adding that keeping students home for four to six weeks would have a more meaningful impact on the spread of the virus than a week-to-week wait-and-see approach.
December 28, 2020
Quebeckers defy lockdown despite crackdown on rule breakers
Behavioural science expert, Dr. Simon Bacon, says Québec may need to change its decision to use fines as its approach to crackdown on those not following health measures.
December 16, 2020
Entrevue avec la Dre Kim Lavoie sur l’étude iCARE lors de l’évènement grand public du CIUSSS-NIM
Rencontrez des chercheur.e.s qui ont interrogé des personnes de partout dans le monde afin de savoir comment les gens ont vécu la pandémie et comment mieux vivre avec cette nouvelle réalité. En vedette : Dre Kim Lavoie et Vincent Gosselin Boucher
November 23, 2020
La pandémie exacerbe la détresse des plus démunis : les Fêtes et les mesures sanitaires
«Ce qu’on observe […] c’est que la pandémie ne fait qu’augmenter la disparité au niveau de la santé et des soins», explique la professeure de psychologie en médecine du comportement à l’UQAM, Kim Lavoie, en entrevue avec Geneviève Pettersen.
November 18, 2020
COVID-19: Deuxième vaccin prometteur et reconfinement
Suite à l’annonce de plus d’un vaccin prometteur, entrevue avec Kim Lavoie, professeure de psychologie en médecine comportementale à l’UQAM et Dre Cécile Tremblay, microbiologiste infectiologue au CHUM.
November 12, 2020
Schools have mostly stayed open amid COVID-19, but experts warn of winter flu season ahead
School-aged children and teens account for a growing percentage of Quebec’s rising COVID-19 case count — a worrying trend, said Kim Lavoie, professor and Canada Research Chair in behavioural medicine at the University of Quebec at Montreal.
October 16, 2020
Amid Jump In Coronavirus Infections, Canada Issues New Restrictions
Government leaders in Canada have asked people not to gather for Canadian Thanksgiving celebrations this weekend because coronavirus cases are rising in several provinces. Montreal-based behavioral scientist Kim Lavoie lays some blame on the provincial government’s messaging.
October 16, 2020
Félicitations à Kim Lavoie et Simon L. Bacon pour l’obtention de subventions des IRSC
Le CIUSSS-NIM félicite la Dre Kim Lavoie et le Dr Simon Bacon du Centre de médicine comportementale pour l’obtention de quatre nouvelles subventions des Instituts de recherche en santé du Canada.
October 2, 2020
Quebecers confused over new measures during first day of province’s partial lockdown
Thursday is day one of Quebec’s partial 28-day lockdown as new public health rules, but there’s still some confusion. Concordia University behavioural medicine professor Dr. Simon Bacon says the government can do better with its messaging.
October 2, 2020
COVIDArtQc, la première étape d’un parcours de murales à Lac-Mégantic
La murale COVIDArtQc à Lac-Mégantic, qui s’inspirera des travaux de la Dre Kim Lavoie, chercheuse en médecine comportementale, qui mène une étude sur les effets de la pandémie sur les comportements de la population mondiale, sera la première d’un ensemble de murales que la Commission des arts, de la culture et du patrimoine souhaite implanter en 2021-2022.
October 1, 2020
Coronavirus: Fears of supply shortages across Quebec prompt surge in shopping
Shoppers, retailers and health authorities have all observed a recent spike in shopping, as Canada’s second coronavirus wave and the prospect of impending lockdowns leave many concerned about grocery shortages. Dr. Simon Bacon, an expert in behavioural epidemiology at Concordia University says that there’s are a few reasons this kind of panic buying happens.
September 20, 2020
D’avril à juin, 30% moins de Canadiens suivaient les mesures sanitaires
Entrevue avec Kim Lavoie, professeure de psychologie en médecine du comportement à l’UQAM, sur QUB Radio
September 20, 2020
Est-ce que la pandémie a rendu les gens plus agressifs?
Entretien entre Jean-Pierre Charbonneau, ancien député du Parti Québécois, Kim Lavoie, professeur en psychologie à l’UQAM, titulaire de la CHAIRE de recherche du Canada en médecine comportementale, Patrick Senécal, dramaturge, Jean-Pierre Rancourt, avocat criminaliste et Annie-Soleil Proteau, animatrice aux ondes de 98.5 à Montréal.
August 31, 2020
A house divided: Father moving into basement as kids return to school
As many Montreal children return to school, some parents fear it could undermine months of efforts to keep their families safe, particularly in households where members of the family are at higher risk. As a professor conducting research on COVID-19, D …
August 24, 2020
How to politely remind someone to wear a mask
Before educating about preventive behaviours, like mask wearing, consider if they really represent a threat to others. Guilt, shame and other aggressive and authoritarian approaches should be avoided. Professor Kim Lavoie advises being kind and express …
July 30, 2020
Nouvelle chaire de recherche pour la Dre Kim Lavoie
L’UQAM a obtenu 3,9 millions de dollars pour la création de quatre Chaires de recherche du Canada. La professeure au Département de psychologie Kim Lavoie a obtenu une chaire de niveau 1 en médecine comportementale. Le programme de recherche développer …
July 27, 2020
Dans les bars : « Nous ne voulons pas parler de la COVID-19 »
Au Québec, le gouvernement réfléchit à la fermeture des bars qu’une cinquantaine de Montréalais s’y sont transmis le nouveau coronavirus. De nombreux pays à travers le monde se sont préoccupés de l’indiscipline dans les bars. « La perception de l’impor …
July 22, 2020
Hugging, kissing, handshakes…not so fast.
How do you keep your distance in social settings? “I think people appreciate it is contagious but, I’m not sure they appreciate the potential problems from catching it, especially younger people who have generally been told that they will be fine (whic …
July 22, 2020
How to deal with anti-maskers
Experts agree that wearing a mask is one way to slow the spread of COVID-19 until a treatment or vaccine is discovered. Still, many people refuse to wear one, saying it’s uncomfortable or a violation of their rights. We talk to behavioural psychologist …
July 14, 2020
Why attitudes to masks have changed around the world
The number of governments recommending face coverings has gone up significantly over the past six months. The changes appear to be partly due to a better understanding of how Covid-19 spreads. There is more awareness that the risk of transmission is hi …
July 13, 2020
Pandemic: Seven academics reflect on the moment they realized the world had changed.
Universities were among the first organizations to shut down in-person operations and pivot rapidly to remote teaching and learning in response to the COVID-19 global pandemic. “Our research area is behavioural medicine – preventing disease by motivati …
July 8, 2020
Entrevue: Comment conscientiser les jeunes au risque de la COVID-19?
Animateur à ICI-RDI Christian Latreil discuter avec Dre Kim Lavoie. « La plupart des jeunes n’écoutent pas nécessairement les communiqués de presse du gouvernement. Il faut utiliser le média qui va vraiment les rejoindre. » Source: ICI-RDI (Radio-Canad …
July 6, 2020
Interview: Experts call for a change in messaging when recommending mask use
A Global News (Toronto) radio interview with Dr. Kim Lavoie about the importance of the right messaging when recommending mask use and in helping people to adopt and reinforce new behaviours. Source: Global News Radio (Toronto) – Listen to the intervie …
July 6, 2020
Everybody’s doing it: what it’s like to live in Montreal’s only mandatory-mask zone
As the debate over masks rages around them, people in Cote-Saint-Luc are available now to answer all your questions on mask-wearing. Their suburb officially went all-in on masks since July 1. Bylaws like this are interesting partly because they circumv …
July 3, 2020
What social science says about convincing people to wear masks during the COVID-19 pandemic
Protective behaviour may feel embarrassing at first, but changing the rules could help. Mandating, not just recommending, the use of non-medical masks will help convince more Canadians to wear them as the economy reopens, just as wearing seatbelts is n …
June 4, 2020
Concordia master’s student investigates the truth behind e-cigarettes and associated health risks
When electronic cigarettes first hit the market in the mid-2000s, they were marketed as a safe alternative to their combustible counterparts. And while manufacturers continue to make this argument, more and more scientific research is calling this claim into question.
April 14, 2020
COVID-19: les coureurs posent-ils un risque?
« Les coureurs que l’on croise en marchant sont-ils plus susceptibles de transmettre la COVID-19 parce qu’ils expulsent plus d’air et éventuellement de gouttelettes de salive, dû à l’effort de la course ? » Cette question revient souvent depuis les débuts de la pandémie.
April 10, 2020
Montreal researchers lead an international study of global prevention behaviours and responses
A global online survey led by researchers in Montreal is looking at how countries and their citizens are responding to the COVID-19 pandemic. It is also examining how different government responses are affecting people’s awareness, attitudes and behaviours toward the disease. “The overall goal is to feed the data back to governments and health authorities to help them evolve their messaging strategies,” explains Dr. Simon Bacon.
April 9, 2020
COVID-19: Some positive news during pandemic
Montreal researchers will compile data on the number of cases, recoveries and deaths worldwide, as well as examine the kinds of policies being enacted by different national governments. Four waves of pushes are planned, with a target to reach 100,000 respondents each time.
March 26, 2020
How to manage cabin fever in a COVID-19 world
Social distancing and quarantine protocols may cause anxiety in some. While cabin fever is not a clinical diagnosis, Dr. Kim Lavoie, who is Chair of Behavioral Medicine at the University of Quebec at Montreal and Co-Director of the Montreal Behavioral Medicine Centre, says those who are used to busy, social, and active lifestyles may be struggling in light of COVID-19.
October 21, 2019
From Lowering Cancer Risk To Easing Pain, 5 Benefits Of Exercising Regularly
Some exercise is better than none and more is better than less. Even a short duration of physical activity could be enough to reduce depression, senior study author Simon Bacon of Concordia University in Montreal, Canada, said. “To some degree our study reinforces this point,” the researcher added.
October 15, 2019
Studying the worldwide phenomenon of vaping and its dangers
In a puff of smoke, vaping has become a worldwide phenomenon. As more dimly-lit electronic cigarette stores set up shop across Montreal, Concordia University Health and Exercise Science masters students, Tasfia Tasbih and Florent Larue, aim to demystify the consequences of using e-cigarettes.
October 1, 2019
Concordia researcher investigates the real risks of e-cigarette use
Concordia Master’s student and MBMC researcher Tasfia Tasbih is studying the prevalence of cardiorespiratory illnesses among men and women who vape. “Most e-cigarette devices contain some of the harmful constituents of regular cigarettes,” explains Tasbih.
June 2, 2019
How grief, divorce can really tax the heart
Research has found links between mental health conditions and poorer cardiovascular health. The findings do not prove that stress disorders actually triggered heart complications but there are reasons to believe they contributed, according to Simon Bacon, co-director of the Montreal Behavioral Medicine Center and author of an editorial published with the study.
April 14, 2019
Swedish Sibling Study: High Stress Drives Up Your Risk Of A Heart Attack
Research shows that those of us who perceive a lot of stress in our lives are at higher risk of heart attacks and other cardiovascular problems over the long term. […] The latest evidence comes from a new study of siblings in Sweden. “When people have stress disorders, these systems are being activated at all the wrong times,” says Simon Bacon of Concordia University, who studies the impact of lifestyle on chronic diseases.
April 10, 2019
Stress Disorders Linked to CV Disease (biggest risk seen soon after diagnosis)
The connection between mood disorders like depression and a higher risk of cardiovascular disease are “well established,” and a robust, albeit slightly contentious, literature connects cardiovascular disease with anxiety disorders. However, information …
April 9, 2019
The raging battle for free access to research findings
Dr. Robert M. Kaplan, colleague of MBMC Co-Directors Kim Lavoie, PhD and Simon Bacon, PhD, writes an op-ed article in the LA Times about the University of California reaching an impasse with one of the world’s biggest publishers of academic journals ov …
March 7, 2019
Aerobic exercise eases depression, even in chronically ill
People with chronic health problems who suffer from depression may find their mood improve when they do aerobic exercise, a research review suggests. “One of the key messages that we see often around aerobic exercise is: something is better than nothin …
February 19, 2019
Albertans are on the verge of having instant access to some medical records
Canadians have a right to see what’s inside their medical records. It’s well established in Canadian law. But it isn’t always easy. While Alberta’s patient portal is expected to come with links to information about the tests and the results, Kim Lavoie …
February 18, 2019
MBMC researchers continue to contribute to patient-oriented research
MBMC researchers continue working on the forefront of patient-oriented health research as demonstrated in newly published research and reports. Read more…
February 18, 2019
MBMC Co-Directors serving as jury members for a Manulife Prize
MBMC co-directors Drs. Simon Bacon and Kim Lavoie will serve as jury members for the 2019 Manulife Prize for the Promotion of Active Health.
February 17, 2019
Appel à la tolérance : Témoignage sur la grossophobie
Anouch, victime de grossophobie, nous parle de ce phénomène tristement répandu et appelle à la tolérance. Un témoignage partagé sur Facebook par un membre du Centre de médecine comportementale de Montréal Voir le témoignage On vous invite d’ailleurs à …
December 11, 2018
Les antidépresseurs, bons pour la tête et le cœur
Prendre des antidépresseurs aurait des effets bénéfiques pour la santé mentale, mais aussi pour le cœur, selon une récente étude québécoise menée par Kim Lavoie, du Département de psychologie de l’UQAM. Une bonne chose si c’est exact car, comme le taba …
September 12, 2018
MBMC co-directors continue as leaders in their field
MBMC Co-Directors served on expert committees in the establishment of 2018 clinical guidelines with Hypertension Canada and Diabetes Canada, as well as in identifying research priorities for behavioural trials.
August 27, 2018
Dr. Simon Bacon participates in the CCC debate series
MBMC Co-Director Dr. Simon Bacon was in Vancouver at the Canadian Cardiovascular Congress in October 2017 to participate in a debate about the use of e-cigarettes as a harm reduction strategy alongside other pharmacotherapies and behavioural interventions.
August 20, 2018
Dr. Kim Lavoie part of “Dream Team” investigating opioid prescribing
Doctors in Canada prescribe more opioids per capita than any other country, though their risks are well-known and long-term benefits unclear. Non-opioid alternative therapies, such as cognitive behavioural therapy, are often cited by many national guidelines as treatment alternatives.
August 29, 2017
MBMC Co-Directors Drs. Kim Lavoie and Simon Bacon speak at the Montreal March for Science
Watch Drs. Kim Lavoie and Simon Bacon speak during the Montreal March for Science held in April 2017 (videos)
June 16, 2017
Public Lecture: Patient-Oriented Research in Diabetes
During her talk, Dr Molly Byrne will discuss strengths and challenges of stakeholder-engaged research. She will talk about a number of studies she has conducted, all which have used strategies to engage end-users of the research. These include a research prioritisation exercise which sought the views of people with diabetes, services providers and policy makers to identify research priorities in behavioural diabetes research. Attend this talk or view it via livestream.
June 14, 2017
Behavioural Medicine in the Spotlight for its Role in Chronic Disease Prevention
Both Dr. Lavoie and Dr. Bacon’s work has long been focused on increasing the visibility and impact of behavioural science in health science research. Both newly appointed to research chairs, they are poised continue promoting the vast potential of this field of medicine in addressing one of the world’s most important health challenges, chronic diseases. They also look forward to deepening the ties between researchers in the field from around the world in an effort to maximize outcomes and build capacity for the next generation of researchers.
May 25, 2017
Médecine comportementale : la psychologie vient à la rescousse
Trop souvent, le comportement d’un patient va à l’encontre de son propre bien. Comment expliquer, par exemple, que 65 % des médicaments prescrits par des spécialistes de la santé ne sont pas consommés? Certains patients font de l’évitement, car ils n’aiment pas l’idée d’être malades, tandis que d’autres avec des conditions qui n’ont, la plupart du temps, pas de symptômes – ne réalisent pas l’importance de la médication. Discussion sur trois niveaux de conscientisation avec la Dr. Kim Lavoie.
May 24, 2017
Comment mieux prévenir les maladies chroniques
Les maladies chroniques sont responsables pour le plus haut taux de mortalité au monde. Comment peut-on arriver à mieux les prévenir mais aussi à reconnaitre les comportements qui nous mènent vers les maladies chroniques?
May 24, 2017
Quand les mauvaises habitudes rendent malade
Les maladies chroniques ont beaucoup de facteurs de risque comportementaux et psychologiques communs. Parmi eux, il y a le tabagisme, la mauvaise alimentation, l’inactivité physique, la sédentarité, la surconsommation d’alcool et le stress.
April 11, 2017
Public Evening Conference on Pneumology
A great evening conference showcasing the great work of Hôpital Sacré-Coeur’s pneumology department and researchers – including those from the Montreal Behavioural Medicine Centre (MBMC).
January 17, 2017
In denial: Why do we often ignore medical symptoms, when we know better?
Ignoring symptoms of a disease with a high mortality rate is a surprisingly common phenomenon, says Dr. Kim Lavoie, co-director of the Montreal Behavioural Medicine Centre and a psychology professor at the University of Quebec at Montreal. “People will cognitively avoid things they don’t want to be real; it’s a natural defence mechanism,” she says.
October 12, 2015
Just 30 minutes a day: Regular exercise relieves asthma symptoms
Millions of people suffer from asthma. Many report having poor control of their symptoms. Fortunately, new research shows there is a simple antidote: 30 minutes of exercise a day, year-round.
July 17, 2015
Aerobic exercise helpful for asthma
Health | Fri Jul 17, 2015 1:22pm EDT By Lisa Rapaport (Reuters Health) – People with moderate to severe asthma who add aerobic exercise to their treatment regimen may have an easier time controlling common symptoms than people who rely on drugs alone, …
March 11, 2015
New Vaccine Poll – Measles outbreak won’t sway parents to get kids vaccinated
Dr. Kim Lavoie talks to CTV News Montreal about the emotional component of parents’ choice not to vaccinate their kids
December 13, 2014
Hypertension & Lifestyle Modifications
Talk by Dr. Simon Bacon “Lifestyle Modification as a Prescription for Hypertension” in which he talks about, in particular, physical exercise and stress management.
March 9, 2014
La pensée positive peut-elle aider à guérir ?
La force de notre pensée peut-elle nous aider à guérir? Très en vogue, ce courant de pensée est fort séduisant. Mais est-il fondé? Les preuves sont insuffisantes: «Je crois honnêtement que le lien existe probablement, mais pour prouver cela, les études devront être réalisées sur une longue période…», explique Kim Lavoie
November 25, 2013
Active seniors more likely to ‘age successfully’
People who take up fitness later in life are more likely to “age successfully” and stay healthy compared with those who remain couch potatoes, a large British study finds.
July 20, 2010
Living with children linked to less exercise
Published in: theGlobeandMail.com | Globe Life | July 20, 2010 A study conducted at the Montreal Heart Institute has yielded a surprising result – living with children is linked to a reduction in physical activity. Concordia University professor Doctor …
June 23, 2010
Déceler le trouble panique chez les travailleurs ayant des problèmes respiratoires
Les objectifs de la thèse sont d’évaluer la prévalence du trouble panique (TP) chez une population de travailleurs et d’en mesurer l’influence sur le plan médical, la symptomatologie et les répercussions sur la qualité de vie.
June 21, 2010
Vivre avec des enfants: c’est pas du sport!
Publié sur: Le Devoir.com | 21 juillet 2010 Société / Santé / En bref Vivre avec des enfants ne permet pas de maintenir la forme. Au contraire, cette situation est associée à une pratique de l’activité physique réduite. Le constat émane d’une étude men …
December 17, 2009
Better education associated with improved asthma
ScienceDaily | December 17, 2009 Individuals with more education suffer less from asthma. Researchers writing in BioMed Central’s open access journal Respiratory Research have found that having less than 12 years of formal schooling is associated with …
September 23, 2009
All in the Family
Dr. Lavoie serves on the HFSC scientific review committee. A study by Dr. Bacon investigating anxiety disorders, depression, and their links to high blood pressure was featured in a news release from the 2008 Canadian Cardiovascular Congress, hosted in part by the HSFC. They met in 2001 when Dr. Bacon, from England, and Dr. Lavoie, from Montreal, were both presenting at the APS meeting in Monterey, California.
June 8, 2009
Five medical reasons you need to stress less
By Janet Rowe | Homemakers.com | June 8, 2009 All that worry and anxiety can really put a strain on your body and make you sick. Find out why prioritizing stress relief may be just what the doctor ordered. Why stress is bad for your health A temperamen …
October 27, 2008
Anxiety disorders latest worry in high blood pressure
TORONTO, Oct. 27, 2008 / CNW Telbec Family doctors and psychiatrists should carefully monitor the heart health of patients with anxiety disorders, Dr. Simon Bacon told the Canadian Cardiovascular Congress 2008, co-hosted by the Heart and Stroke Foundat …
March 17, 2008
Gene study: Exercise may not improve mood
The widely accepted view that exercise helps dispel depression and anxiety is misleading, since a common set of genes makes the most mentally healthy also the most prone to exercising.
March 12, 2008
Awareness of heart pain reflected in woman’s age
By Marilyn Elias, USA TODAY | usatoday.com | March 12, 2008 Younger women with coronary blockages that raise their risk for heart attacks are less likely than post-menopausal women to feel chest pain with exercise, a key warning signal for heart diseas …
September 21, 2004
Tension can Break Hearts
By Susan Hayes | Prevention.com | September 21, 2004 Protect your blood-pumping muscle by increasing relaxation and exercise time Garden-variety stress–little spats, minor frustrations, short-lived blue moods–can raise your odds for fatal and irregul …
April 26, 2004
Happiness Makes a Heart Beat Longer
By Jerome Burne, Times Online | timesonline.co.uk | April 26, 2004 Encouraging positive emotions has significant health benefits, a new study shows It has long been recognised that positive emotions are linked with living longer and negative ones with …