The media deserves credit when it is due. Lyme disease is an increasing health problem affecting thousands of Canadians, and many many more of our U.S. neighbours to the south. Over the past year, the number of informed reports has been dramatically increasing, and as a result, the public are beginning to develop an awareness. Also, medical groups are either beginning to squirm and take the issue of lyme disease a little more seriously, or they are lashing out. Both are a sign of increasing public pressure and progress.

Earlier this week Erin Ellis of the Vancouver Sun wrote an article that is one of the best I have read on lyme disease. It is balanced, and presents a story that largely resonates with what I have been through, and the frustrations I have felt trying to grab the attention of someone in the medical profession who would listen and act to help me. Earlier in the summer, the Toronto Star also published a good article, as have more and more mainstream news media outlets.

The next barrier is our federal and provincial politicians, the Public Health Agency of Canada and the Provincial Ministries of Health. Politicians in British Columbia have made some progress, but the rest are largely far behind. Let’s all work together to get the major issues around testing sorted out, so more and more people have a chance!