Intersectoral Prevention Research

The physical, social and cultural environments in which we live are critical to our health, development and wellbeing over the course of our lives. The way we interact with our environment and the effect various environmental factors have on our health, behaviours, and social networks, contribute both positively and negatively to our health.

The research announced today was supported through the Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR) Environments and Health Strategic Initiative and builds on a number of past and present initiatives in this area. The initiative is co-led by the CIHR Institutes of Population and Public Health and Infection and Immunity.

CIHR will invest a total of $17.7 million in nine research projects:

• Dr. Barbara Hales at McGill University, and her national team, received $2M to evaluate the health impacts of chemicals in our environment and how to prevent exposure by identifying safer alternatives
• Dr. Yan Kestens at Université de Montréal and CRCHUM (University of Montreal Hospital Research Center), and his national team received $2M to study how we can design cities in ways that promote good health, reduce health inequities, and guide sustainable urban development.
• Dr. Brent Hagel at the University of Calgary, and his national team received over $1.9M to study features of our communities and the impact on the likelihood of children getting hurt by using active transportation
• Dr. Michael Ungar at Dalhousie University and his national team received $2M to lead the Resilient Youth in Stressed Environments (RYSE) project. Their project will examine patterns of resilience among young people in response to exposure to petrochemical production and how communities and environments can impact resilience.
• Dr. Lise Gauvin at Université de Montréal and CRCHUM (University of Montreal Hospital Research Center), and her national team received $2M to find ways to make built environments more favourable to healthy eating and physical activity.
• Dr. Margot Parkes at the University of Northern British Columbia, and her national team received over $1.9M for the ECHO Network. This network brings together experts in natural resources and social and environmental change to strengthen intersectoral capacity to understand and respond to health impacts of resource development.
• Dr. Nicholas Ashbolt at the University of Alberta, and his national team, received over $1.9M to develop a framework for wastewater reuse in Canada.
• Dr. Sherilee Harper at the University of Guelph, and her national team, received $2M to example climate change and the impact on indigenous food systems, food security and food safety
• Dr. Heather Castleden at Queen’s University, and her national team, received $2M to strengthen health through renewable energy development