McMaster Faculty of Health Sciences

While we know that exposure to air pollution isn’t healthy, many of the existing concerns about pollution have to do with the potential impact on your lungs and heart. But now, the latest research suggests living in a polluted area could impact your brain health, too.

Russell de Souza, senior author and associate professor in the Department of Health Research Methods, Evidence, and Impact, spoke with Women’s Health about the link between regular exposure to air pollution and lower cognitive performance.

Scientists Were Shocked to Discover that Even Low Levels of This Factor May Raise Dementia Risk And women may be at greater risk.

National AccessAbility Week, from May 31 to June 6 this year, is a time for McMaster and communities across Canada to recognize and celebrate the contributions, leadership, and perspectives of people with disabilities.

This week offers an important opportunity to reflect on progress in advancing accessibility across campus, while reaffirming our community’s shared responsibility to foster an inclusive and equitable environment for all.

National AccessAbility Week is May 31 to June 6, 2026 This is a time to celebrate the contributions and perspectives of people with disabilities, and to reaffirm our shared responsibility to foster an inclusive and equitable environment.

June is National Indigenous History Month and Pride Month, and campus groups representing diverse Indigenous and 2SLGBTQIA+ communities have together made a plan that ensures both are appropriately represented.

The spirit of sharing: Two flags to fly in June

June is Pride Month, a time to recognize and honour every individual’s right to equality, and to celebrate the richness that 2SLGBTQ+ individuals bring to our communities.

Here is a list of campus and community events, organizations and resources to celebrate and support the diverse individuals who enrich our community. 👇

Pride Month at McMaster: Events and resources Starting with a launch event for staff and faculty, Pride Month will also feature workshops, webinars and programming for students.

Aging affects everyone differently. Some people remain active and healthy well into older age, while others become increasingly vulnerable to weakness, fatigue, weight loss and reduced mobility, a condition known as frailty.

A large Canadian study from McMaster University has uncovered a new genetic clue that could help explain why some people are more at risk.

Frailty Is No Guarantee in Older Age - Research2Reality The weakness and mobility loss of frailty aren't simply part of aging, they're tied up in a complex network of systems that include the brain.

May 30 is World Multiple Sclerosis Day.

Multiple sclerosis is a chronic autoimmune disease of the central nervous system.

Suresh Menon, associate professor in the Department of Medicine, shares what you need to know about multiple sclerosis. 👇

Here’s what you need to know about multiple sclerosis - Faculty of Health Sciences Multiple sclerosis, often referred to as MS, is a chronic autoimmune disease of the central nervous system. In this video, Dr. Suresh Menon, associate professor in the Department of Medicine at McMaster University, shares what you need to know about multiple sclerosis. [...]Read More...

All month, we've shared evidence-based insights on mental health.

Persistent depressive disorder is a mental health condition that typically starts in childhood or adolescence and, if left untreated, can continue into adulthood.

Danielle Rice, clinical psychologist and assistant professor in the Department of Psychiatry & Behavioural Neurosciences, shares what you should know about persistent depressive disorder. 👇

Here’s what you should know about persistent depressive disorder - Faculty of Health Sciences Persistent depressive disorder (PDD) is a mental health condition that typically starts in childhood or adolescence and, if left untreated, can continue into adulthood. Danielle Rice, clinical psychologist and assistant professor in the Department of Psychiatry & Behavioural Neurosciences, says that...

New data from Manulife Canada reveals that 19 percent of working time is lost to health-related productivity challenges while employees are still at their desks, compared to just three percent lost to absences.

Rebecca Gewurtz, occupational therapist and associate professor in the School of Rehabilitation Science, spoke with Canadian HR Reporter about the cost of inaction and the business case for investing in mental health supports.

Mental health costing Canadian employers 46 working days a year New data shows presenteeism – not absence – is driving biggest productivity losses for Canadian employers

When it comes to identifying mental health conditions clinically, and for research, many use standardized diagnostic interviews that gauge mood and behaviour, among other things. Interviews have long been considered the “gold standard.”

But new research from McMaster University has found that these diagnostic interviews might not be as consistent as previously thought.

Widely used ‘gold standard’ for identifying mental health conditions not as reliable as previously believed, new study finds - Faculty of Health Sciences Diagnostic interviews are widely used by mental health professionals to identify conditions such as anxiety, bipolar disorder and depression in adults, but new research led by McMaster University shows that the long considered “gold standard” may not be as consistent as previously thought. The m...

A team of McMaster University students have taken their innovative AI-powered platform for sepsis screening to the global stage. They’re currently competing in the Harvard Health Systems Innovation Lab Hackathon and hope to land an invitation to Boston to pitch their screening tool to potential investors.

The potential to identify people at risk of developing sepsis was inspired by a personal loss, one that has empowered the group.

Inspired by personal loss, McMaster student-innovators are advancing sepsis screening with sights of pitching at Harvard - Faculty of Health Sciences What began as a personal loss for McMaster University graduate student Anushka Patel has grown into a potential new tool that could help identify more people at risk of developing sepsis. Patel, a Master of Biomedical Innovation student and recent graduate of McMaster’s Honours Health Sciences pro...