News @ a glance
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**Dementia to double:** Over the next 20 years the number of people suffering from dementia is expected to double to 772 000, according to Health Canada documents acquired by the *Ottawa Citizen*. The Alzheimer Society of Canada is urging the government to invest initially at least $200 million for research and public education. Alzhemier's is the most common type of dementia.

![Figure1](http://www.cmaj.ca/https://www.cmaj.ca/content/cmaj/175/2/141/F1.medium.gif)

[Figure1](http://www.cmaj.ca/content/175/2/141/F1)

Figure. Photo by: Digital Stock

**WHO study on FGM:** A WHO study of 28 393 women in 6 countries finds that those who have had female genital mutilation (FGM) are significantly more likely to have serious complications during childbirth and that their babies are more likely to die as a result of the practice ([www.who.int/reproductive-health/](http://www.who.int/reproductive-health/)). Those who have been subjected to the most serious form of FGM (FGM III) have on average 30% more cesarean sections compared to those who have not undergone FGM. Similarly, there is a 70% increase in the numbers of women who suffer from postpartum hemorrhage. There is also an increased need to resuscitate babies whose mother have undergone FGM (66% higher in women with FGM III), and the death rate during and immediately after birth is 15% higher in those with FGM I and 55% higher in those with FGM III. WHO is working toward eliminating FGM.

**High stakes:** According to conflict-of-interest filing with the Federal Ethics Commissioner, Canada's Health Minister Tony Clement holds a 25% equity position in Prudential Chem Inc., a Toronto firm that makes chemical compounds for the drug industry. To comply with ethics rules, Clement agreed not participate in any discussions or decisions involving the company, or its parent Prudential Consulting Inc. and the affiliated Prudential Business Outsourcing.

**Scents ban:** The City of Ottawa is going scent-free in all municipal buildings and has launched a public education program. Its citizen's committee on the environment proposed a phased-in city-wide ban on scents in all public places, similar to the smoking bylaw that has been in place since 2001. The committee report states that more people are becoming allergic to the chemicals used in scents, and that these have been known to trigger asthma attacks. “People have the right to breathe clean air and not to be exposed to chemical fragrance causing unnecessary health problems,” they state. Similar anti-scent campaigns are underway in Nova Scotia. — Compiled by Barbara Sibbald, *CMAJ*