Solving Pressing Public Health Problems: Close to $13 Million to Fund 14 New Research Chairs in Public Health
For immediate release –
2008-16
Ottawa (June 3, 2008) – Close to $13 million is being invested to fund 14 new Research Chairs on the topic of Public Health. The Chairs are funded by the Canadian Institutes of Health Research, Institute of Population and Public Health and the Public Health Agency of Canada, in partnership with the Centre de recherche en prévention de l’obésité, the Heart and Stroke Foundation, the Fonds de la recherche en santé du Québec (FRSQ) and the ministère de la Santé et des Services sociaux du Québec (Québec Ministry of Health and Social Services).The Chairs in Public Health were announced part of a national announcement made by the Minister of Health, Tony Clement, on May 7, 2008.
The newly funded Research Chairs will look into the pressing problems of obesity, sexually transmitted diseases among youth, animal transmitted diseases, drug use, health among First Nations and Métis people, mental health in the workplace and how neighbourhoods influence our health.
“We want to see today’s investment in health research translate into the public health programs of tomorrow. To do this, researchers will work closely with practitioners and policy makers to share knowledge and better adapt the results of their studies,” said Dr. David Butler-Jones, Canada’s Chief Public Health Officer.
“To better address the many public health challenges facing Canada, we need the evidence to be able to improve policies and programs. This major health research investment will fund first-class researchers who will work with decision-makers to support prevention programs and healthy public policies,” said Dr. John Frank, Scientific Director at the CIHR Institute of Population and Public Health.
Many of the newly funded researchers will examine the design of neighbourhoods and communities as well as such influences as the proximity of schools, recreation facilities, grocery stores, employment, and cultural activities on health. Researchers will also look at the safety and accessibility of sidewalks and playgrounds. All these impact the general health and well being of Canadians.
The 14 Research Chairs funded underwent a rigorous peer-review process before being approved. Here are some examples of the funded Public Health Chairs (A complete list is attached):
Dr. Kim D. Raine (University of Alberta, Edmonton) will research new ways to prevent obesity-related chronic diseases and promote healthy weights.
Dr. Patricia J. Martens (University of Manitoba, Winnipeg) will study patterns of health outcomes and health care use for rural people, to understand what works in terms of policies and preventive services.
Dr. Gilles Paradis (McGill University, Montreal) will develop new programs to promote healthy lifestyles in school children.
Dr. James R. Dunn (St. Michael’s Hospital, Toronto) will examine how neighbourhoods influence healthy living.
Dr. Jean A. Shoveller (University of British Columbia, Vancouver) will explore new strategies for preventing sexually transmitted disease and unwanted pregnancy in Canadian youth.
Dr. Louise Fournier (University of Montreal, Montreal) wants to improve mental health of the population.
“The talented researchers supported by the Public Health Chairs Program will advance knowledge in many important areas,” said Stephen Samis, Director of Health policy for the Heart and Stroke Foundation of Canada. “The impact of their research will ultimately improve lives across Canada through linkages with policy, programs, and practice.”
“The Public Health Chairs constitute a response to the need expressed by professionals and stakeholders for information regarding the prevention of childhood obesity, stated Mr. Denis Brière, Chair of the Governing Council of the Centre de recherche en prévention de l’obésité. “This sort of initiative will allow innovative approaches to emerge while monitoring the best practices in the field of prevention.”
“The FRSQ and the ministère de la Santé et des Services sociaux du Québec (MSSS) are proud to join forces in order to support the investigators in the field of applied public health, emphasized Ms. Marielle Gascon-Barré, Vice-Chair and Scientific Director of the FRSQ. “This initiative is in line with the priorities of the FRSQ’s strategic plan, as well as the objectives of the MSSS’ Action Plan on Mental Health. It will allow us to increase the national research capacity in this field that still needs to be developed fully.”
The Chairs in Public Health were modeled in part after the Canadian Health Services Research Foundation/CIHR Chairs program.
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The Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR) is the Government of Canada’s agency for health research. CIHR’s mission is to create new scientific knowledge and to catalyze its translation into improved health, more effective health services and products, and a strengthened Canadian health-care system. Composed of 13 Institutes, CIHR provides leadership and support to more than 11,000 health researchers and trainees across Canada.
The Public Health Agency of Canada (PHAC) was established in 2004 to help Canadians achieve better health and well-being through the prevention of chronic disease and injury, promotion of good health, and protection from infectious diseases and other major health threats.
The Heart and Stroke Foundation, a volunteer-based health charity, leads in eliminating heart disease and stroke and reducing their impact through the advancement of research and its application, the promotion of healthy living, and advocacy.
Le Centre de recherche en prévention de l’obésité (CRPO) est issu d’un partenariat entre la Fondation Lucie et André Chagnon, l’Université Laval et l’Hôpital Laval. Il vise à faire progresser les connaissances scientifiques sur la prévention de l’obésité en soutien aux programmes d’intervention s’adressant aux enfants et à leurs parents.
Reporting to the Minister of Economic Development, Innovation and Export Trade, the Fonds de la recherche en santé du Québec (FRSQ) has the mission of supporting health research for the benefit of the well-being of Quebecers. The FRSQ manages an annual budget of $90 million with a mandate to promote and provide funding for health research, knowledge dissemination, research training and also, to establish partnerships which are essential to the development of Quebec’s research and innovation system as well as to the expansion of research at the international level.
The mission of the ministère de la Santé et des Services sociaux is to maintain and enhance the health and welfare of Québeckers, by making integrated and quality health services and social services accessible to them, with a view to contributing to the social and economic development of Québec.
Attachments
Chairs in Public Health
For more information, please contact:
David Coulombe
CIHR Media Relations
613-941-4563
Cell: 613-808-7526
E-mail: mediarelations@cihr-irsc.gc.ca
