Iris Gorfinkel, M.D.

Iris Gorfinkel, M.D.

@drgorfinkel.bsky.social

Family doctor, clinical researcher, founder of PrimeHealth Clinical Research, contributor to @CBCRadio @GlobalNewsCa @TorontoStar @ZoomerMedia

3K followers221 following473 posts

Iris Gorfinkel, M.D.
@drgorfinkel.bsky.social

As a family doctor, my vote goes to OLIVIA CHOW She supports PROVEN policies: ✅NON-POLICE interventions for addictions ✅Supportive housing ✅Safe consumption sites BRAD BRADFORD supports MANDATORY treatment ...which is proven NOT to WORK Please SHARE www.cp24.com/local/toront...

cp24.com‘Neck and neck’: Bradford says city ready for change as Chow urges supporters to voteWith just two days left before voters head to the polls, the frontrunners in the Toronto mayoral race were out making their final pitches across the city Saturday.
Iris Gorfinkel, M.D.
@drgorfinkel.bsky.social

✅ OLIVIA CHOW: ↳ Non-police crisis teams ↳ Street-to-home outreach ↳ City-owned supportive housing 🔴BRAD BRADFORD: ↳ Mandatory addiction laws ↳ 1,000 more police officers Chow's policies are EVIDENCE-BASED Bradford's are NOT @raghu-venugopal.bsky.social www.cbc.ca/news/health/...

cbc.caForcing people into drug treatment is on the political agenda. Here's what the evidence says | CBC NewsAcross Canada, there’s a growing number of political leaders proposing to force people into treatment for drug addiction, despite inconclusive evidence about its effectiveness.

Iris Gorfinkel, M.D. reposted

Andrew Longhurst 🇨🇦 🍉
@alonghurst.bsky.social

Long Covid clinic runs virtual sessions of up to 50 patients. Many of them feature support from allied health professionals (AHPs) like occupational therapists, physios and psychologists MSP fee changes mean AHPs will no longer be available in virtual group settings www.cbc.ca/news/canada/...

cbc.caB.C. long COVID patients brace for reduced access to care | CBC NewsMore than 300,000 British Columbians live with long COVID, with many relying on virtual appointments to access the care they need. But health providers are warning impending caps on appointment sizes ...
Iris Gorfinkel, M.D.
@drgorfinkel.bsky.social

DOOMSDAY CLOCK ☠️ It's 85 secs to midnight ...the closest we've EVER been to GLOBAL DISASTER The Atomic Scientists’ Science & Security Board URGES 💥Limit nuclear arsenals 🤖Create international guidelines on AI use 🦠Address global biological threats thebulletin.org/2026/01/pres...

thebulletin.orgPRESS RELEASE: It is 85 seconds to midnightAt the 2026 Doomsday Clock announcement, the Bulletin’s Science and Security Board moved the Doomsday Clock forward from 89 seconds to 85 seconds to midnight, citing a failure in global leadership.
Iris Gorfinkel, M.D.
@drgorfinkel.bsky.social

Dear Premier Ford, It took SEVERAL FOI requests from The Toronto Star to show Ontarians the truth about gambling-related suicides. They jumped 8-FOLD in just TWO YEARS ..after which, the study you'd promised somehow got panned. Anything ELSE we should know ? Signed.

Toronto Star@thestar.com

Online gambling has been incredibly lucrative for the province. Ontarians wagered more than $82.7 billion in the 2024-25 fiscal year. That windfall has come at a cost, critics say. Suicides by people with gambling issues have increased, according to data from Ontario’s chief coroner.

Iris Gorfinkel, M.D.
@drgorfinkel.bsky.social

ERs are BAROMETERS for the health of communities. They see what many don't: -Homelessness -Addiction -Poverty They are where POLICY succeeds or fails. 🏆 Kudos to @raghu-venugopal.bsky.social - an ER doc who REFUSES to remain silent. www.thestar.com/opinion/cont... @thestar.com

thestar.comToronto’s housing, transit and drug policies are showing up in the ERAs an ER doctor, I’m concerned for the marginalized. Our collective fate is tied to theirs.
Iris Gorfinkel, M.D.
@drgorfinkel.bsky.social

Just 69 - curious, skeptical & supremely relatable. Helen Branswell was one of my most trusted sources while reporting COVID-19 updates between 2020-23. She was a masterclass in science communication. Now I’m sorry I never told her. 🕊️ Rest in peace

André Picard @picardonhealth @picardonhealth.bsky.social

Canadian medical journalist lauded for her coverage of COVID-19 dies of cancer at age 69. Helen Branswell's work recognized with many prestigious honours, by @tuthanhha.bsky.social (Nice to see a full-page Helen Branswell obituary.) www.theglobeandmail.com/canada/artic... via @theglobeandmail.com

Iris Gorfinkel, M.D.
@drgorfinkel.bsky.social

🚨 Canary-in-the-Coalmine Alert ! IGaming Ontario vowed to research PROBLEM GAMBLING in 2022 ...but PANNED THE STUDY in 2024 after finding "significantly higher rates than expected" Then they hired a PUBLIC RELATIONS firm. Disgusting. 🏆Great reporting from @thestar.com

Iris Gorfinkel, M.D.
@drgorfinkel.bsky.social

FLU SEASON By Oct 3 🇨🇦 Infobase logged 3,315 cases 440 hospitalizations 2 deaths …yet GP clinics in Ontario won’t get flu shot shipments until Oct 26. ADD ➕1-2 wks for an appt ➕2-4 wks to develop immunity 💉Delays are preventable, costly & deadly @thestar.com

Iris Gorfinkel, M.D.
@drgorfinkel.bsky.social

1400 people rely on me for their primary care - many are over 65, very young or have chronic conditions. Delaying their flu shots may be catastrophic. …but we won’t have any until October 26.

Toronto Star@thestar.com

Opinion: Ontario’s flu season is off to an early start this year, but family doctors won’t get vaccine shipments until Oct. 26. This delay comes at a high price, writes @drgorfinkel.bsky.social.

thestar.comIris Gorfinkel: Ontarians are ready for their flu shots, but their family doctors aren’tEven though family doctors deliver most of the primary care and are consistently ranked among the most trusted clinicians, we’re last on the Ministry’s flu shot delivery list. It’s a
Iris Gorfinkel, M.D.
@drgorfinkel.bsky.social

So sorry to hear. A massive loss of one of America’s top health & science communicators. 🕊️ Rest in peace, Helen Branswell. You’ll be missed.

André Picard @picardonhealth @picardonhealth.bsky.social

Helen Branswell, whose reporting on infectious diseases and public health drew acclaim, dies at 69 of complications from cancer. Veteran Canadian journalist’s coverage was marked by clarity and nuance at times of crisis. www.statnews.com/2026/10/13/h... via @statnews.com #journalism

statnews.comHelen Branswell, whose reporting on infectious diseases and public health drew acclaim, dies at 69Helen Branswell, STAT's infectious disease reporter who earned the respect of experts and public health officials with her accessible, prescient dispatches, has died at age 69.
Iris Gorfinkel, M.D.
@drgorfinkel.bsky.social

It’s not only estrogen… The recurring Rx drug supply crisis is a TIME SINK for family doctors. DAILY requests from pharmacies for substitutes ⬆️ Work stress ⬇️ Scarce appts ⬆️ Patient risk 😡

André Picard @picardonhealth @picardonhealth.bsky.social

‘If this were Viagra, Canada would call in the army,’ but it’s estrogen — and it keeps running out. Unmanaged menopause costs the Canadian economy $3.5 billion a year — and a recurring supply crisis is making a bad problem worse, by Diana Zlomislic www.thestar.com/business/the... via @thestar.com

thestar.com'If this were Viagra, Canada would call in the army' but it's estrogen and it keeps running outUnmanaged menopause symptoms costs the Canadian economy $3.5 billion a year — and a recurring supply crisis is making a bad problem worse.
Iris Gorfinkel, M.D.
@drgorfinkel.bsky.social

"RUSSIAN PLAGUE" = PNEUMONIC PLAGUE 🦠Yersinia pestis ⏲️Starts 1-4 days after exposure DAY 1: High fever, headache, body aches DAY 2: SEVERE cough & chest pain ➡️watery sputum ➡️BLOODY sputum DAY 3-4: Respiratory failure, shock ☠️100% FATAL WITHOUT ANTIBIOTICS WITHIN 24 hours

Iris Gorfinkel, M.D.
@drgorfinkel.bsky.social

HOW💉Novavax, Pfzier & Moderna COMPARE: 🧐All 3 are about equally effective ⬇️ER & urgent care visits by 50% ⬇️Hosptlztns by 53-55% 🧐Novavax has fewer & less severe short-term side effects than Pfizer & Moderna 🧐Novavax protection likely lasts longer jamanetwork.com/journals/jam...

jamanetwork.comInterim Estimated Effectiveness of 2025-2026 COVID-19 Vaccines in AdultsThis case-control study estimates vaccine effectiveness of 2025-2026 COVID-19 vaccines among adults with COVID-19–associated emergency department or urgent care encounters and COVID-19–associated hosp...
Iris Gorfinkel, M.D.
@drgorfinkel.bsky.social

🚨 BIG COVID-19 NEWS Ontario is funding NOVOVAVAX this year! 💉Non-mRNA vaccine, protein-based 💉For 12 yrs of age & up 💉Limited availability in PHARMACIES ONLY Moderna & Pfizer's mRNA vaccines are still available. ​https://www.ontario.ca/page/covid-19-vaccines#section-2

Iris Gorfinkel, M.D.
@drgorfinkel.bsky.social

Whatever happened to, “I stand on guard for thee?” Oh Canada.

CCPA — Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives@policyalternatives.ca

“When you’ve spent $4.1 billion over eight years (on private health care) and wait times are going up, we’ve got a serious problem,” @alonghurst.bsky.social said. #onpoli @policyalternatives.ca www.theobserver.ca/news/funding...

theobserver.caFunding private health care in Ontario costs more and leads to longer waitsAmid belt-tightening at Sarnia's hospital, and others in Ontario, provincial investment in for-profit clinics has been on the rise.
Iris Gorfinkel, M.D.
@drgorfinkel.bsky.social

It’s SELF SABOTAGE. As @fordnation pours $2.1 BILLION into health teams, he SIMULTANEOUSLY diverts taxpayer dollars into PRIVATE clinics that 🩺 Poach Scarce staff ⬆️ Public waits …& Cost WAY more @thestar.com www.thestar.com/opinion/cont...

thestar.comIris Gorfinkel: How Doug Ford’s health plan costs taxpayers billions — and privatization is making it failTo save universal health care, Ontario must reverse its path. Funding private clinics drains our public system, poaching staff and siphoning taxpayer dollars from front-line care.
Iris Gorfinkel, M.D.
@drgorfinkel.bsky.social

🚨COVID-19 vaccines this fall will target XFG The XFG variant: -Accounts for HALF of U.S. cases -Has lower hospitalization rates than previous variants -Targeted by Pfizer & Moderna's mRNA vaccines ... & by Novavax's more traditional protein-based 💉 www.scientificamerican.com/article/covi...

scientificamerican.comCOVID cases are on the rise—here’s what you need to knowThe virus is currently most prevalent in California and the southern U.S., but experts expect it to go national in the coming weeks
Iris Gorfinkel, M.D.
@drgorfinkel.bsky.social

Ontario's TEENS see ads encouraging & normalizing - gambling DAILY. It harms mental health Gambling-related ER visits ⬆️2X ...& still NOT A PEEP from Edctn Minister Paul Calandra 🤑Has govt lost its way? www.thestar.com/opinion/cont... @thestar.com www.thestar.com/opinion/cont...

thestar.comIris Gorfinkel: Teen patients tell me they can’t stay away from this dangerous activity. The province should step inCompared to lotteries, online wagering was 45 times more likely to result in problem gambling. Each lost wager raises desperation levels, trapping teens in a vicious cycle of chasing losses.
Iris Gorfinkel, M.D.
@drgorfinkel.bsky.social

Online betting online is 45 X likelier to result in problem gambling iGaming delivers the hits teen brains crave. So why the silence, Education Minister Calandra? www.thestar.com/opinion/cont... @thestar.com

thestar.comIris Gorfinkel: Teen sports betting is skyrocketing. Why won’t the Ford government act?Compared to lotteries, online wagering was 45 times more likely to result in problem gambling. Each lost wager raises desperation levels, trapping teens in a vicious cycle of chasing losses.
Iris Gorfinkel, M.D.
@drgorfinkel.bsky.social

INVESTMENT in FOSSIL FUELS 🇨🇦 ranks 2nd globally Since 1970 - 😨 🇨🇦 (blue line) has warmed 2X FASTER than the global avg (green) 😱 🇨🇦Arctic (pink) has warmed 3X FASTER❗️ Ref: Govt of 🇨🇦

Iris Gorfinkel, M.D.
@drgorfinkel.bsky.social

Today is the day Alberta opens the door to TWO-TIER healthcare …with very few guardrails to protect VULNERABLE patients. 🇨🇦 The feds need to act NOW

André Picard @picardonhealth @picardonhealth.bsky.social

Same doctor, different price tag: How universal health care is under attack. Alberta’s Bill 11 is a direct assault on the Canada Health Act, by @drgorfinkel.bsky.social www.thestar.com/opinion/cont... via @thestar.com @raghu-venugopal.bsky.social

thestar.comIris Gorfinkel: Same doctor, different price tag: How universal health care is under attackAlberta’s Bill 11 is a direct assault on the Canada Health Act, but the greater danger is federal complacency. What starts in Alberta doesn’t stay in Alberta.

Iris Gorfinkel, M.D. reposted

André Picard @picardonhealth
@picardonhealth.bsky.social

Same doctor, different price tag: How universal health care is under attack. Alberta’s Bill 11 is a direct assault on the Canada Health Act, by @drgorfinkel.bsky.social www.thestar.com/opinion/cont... via @thestar.com @raghu-venugopal.bsky.social

thestar.comIris Gorfinkel: Same doctor, different price tag: How universal health care is under attackAlberta’s Bill 11 is a direct assault on the Canada Health Act, but the greater danger is federal complacency. What starts in Alberta doesn’t stay in Alberta.
Iris Gorfinkel, M.D.
@drgorfinkel.bsky.social

🚨 MEGA Conflict of Interest Starting Sept 2 MEDICALLY NECESSARY services in Alberta will be offered publicly & privately. This is a MAJOR THREAT to the Canada Health Act 🇨🇦 EVERY life matters Please SHARE

André Picard @picardonhealth @picardonhealth.bsky.social

Same doctor, different price tag: How universal health care is under attack. Alberta’s Bill 11 is a direct assault on the Canada Health Act, by @drgorfinkel.bsky.social www.thestar.com/opinion/cont... via @thestar.com @raghu-venugopal.bsky.social

thestar.comIris Gorfinkel: Same doctor, different price tag: How universal health care is under attackAlberta’s Bill 11 is a direct assault on the Canada Health Act, but the greater danger is federal complacency. What starts in Alberta doesn’t stay in Alberta.
Iris Gorfinkel, M.D.
@drgorfinkel.bsky.social

🚨 Bill 11 starts Sept 1 - doctors in Alberta will earn MORE treating patients at night than in the day. Same doctor. Same medically necessary service. Different price. It's an ASSAULT on the Canada Health Act. www.thestar.com/opinion/cont... via @thestar.com www.thestar.com/opinion/cont...

thestar.comIris Gorfinkel: Same doctor, different price tag: How universal health care is under attackAlberta’s Bill 11 is a direct assault on the Canada Health Act, but the greater danger is federal complacency. What starts in Alberta doesn’t stay in Alberta.