CBU professor receives federal funding for research
Wednesday, March 10, 2010
Cape Breton University’s Professor Catherine O’Brien was among researchers and program providers from across Canada to recently receive funding for a series of initiatives designed to improve the health of Canadians by preventing chronic disease. A total of $15.5 million is being invested in seven collaborative coalitions addressing such issues as childhood obesity, screening for chronic disease by family doctors, and the unique needs of First Nations communities.“About two-thirds of deaths in Canada are due to chronic diseases. Many of these diseases, such as heart disease and many cancers can be prevented through healthier lifestyles and healthier communities,” said the Honourable Leona Aglukkaq, federal Minister of Health. “Bringing together the many dedicated organizations working to prevent chronic disease will help to accelerate a vision we all share: healthier children and healthier Canadians in all parts of the country.”
“This funding makes it possible to sustain and expand this work,” said Dr. O’Brien, who is working on Children’s Mobility, Health and Happiness: A Canadian School Travel Planning Model.
A venture undertaken by the Canadian Partnership Against Cancer, and funded by the Public Health Agency of Canada and the Heart and Stroke Foundation under the banner of CLASP, which stands for Coalitions Linking Action and Science for Prevention, this project is designed to improve the health of Canadians by preventing chronic disease. The initiatives respond to the fact that many aspects of healthy living – such as maintaining a healthy body weight, quitting smoking and improving the quality of our environment – can reduce the risk for not only many cancers but also other chronic diseases like diabetes, lung disease and heart disease. Coalitions will incorporate scientific, practice and policy expertise, as well as evidence from both research studies and existing programs in their planning, and will build on chronic disease prevention efforts already underway in many provinces and territories.
Dr. O’Brien’s research is part of a joint CLASP project headed by Green Communities Canada and shared with the University of Toronto. It focuses on increasing the number of children doing daily physical activity and on promoting healthy lifestyles. The program does this by changing the way elementary school children travel to school. School Travel Planning (STP) is an established, community-based model that contributes to chronic disease prevention through activities that promote the use of active transportation for the short trip to and from school. Active transportation is any kind of human-powered transportation , such as walking, bicycling and in-line skating, as well as additional methods appropriate to our Canadian climate, such as skating, snowshoeing and cross-country skiing.
“We are looking at ways to encourage new policies and practice in School Travel Planning,” said Dr. O’Brien. “With School Travel Planning, school boards, municipalities, parents, police and other stakeholders collaborate to foster safe and active transportation for the trip to school.”
The results have multiple benefits for children, their families and the school community, including increased physical activity for children, parents and caregivers and fewer cars on the road, which may reduce harmful emissions and contribute to improved air quality in school zones.
The long-term goal of STP is to motivate changes to municipal and school board policies and practices so that active transportation to and from schools is commonplace. STP projects are already underway in seven jurisdictions (Ontario, British Columbia, Alberta, Nova Scotia, Manitoba, Saskatchewan and the Yukon). The CLASP funding of more than $2 million will support the implementation of STP in all provinces and territories in Canada and lay the foundation for future local sustainability.
The project also integrates Dr. O’Brien’s work on Child and Youth Friendly Land Use and Transport Planning Guidelines with school travel planning. She has co-authored guidelines for every province. A unique feature of the collaborative project will involve research in a field that was developed by Dr. O’Brien called “sustainable happiness.” This links research from happiness studies with well-being and sustainability.
About the Canadian Partnership Against Cancer
The Canadian Partnership Against Cancer is an independent organization funded by the federal government to accelerate action on cancer control for all Canadians. We bring together cancer survivors, patients and families, cancer experts and government representatives to implement the first pan-Canadian cancer control strategy. Our vision is to be a driving force to achieve a focused approach that will help prevent cancer, enhance the quality of life of those affected by cancer, lessen the likelihood of dying from cancer, and increase the efficiency of cancer control in Canada. For more information, visit www.partnershipagainstcancer.ca. The Canadian Partnership Against Cancer is also the driving force behind cancerview.ca, an online community linking Canadians to cancer information, services and resources.
