Month: October 2019

Identifying red flags early and providing resources: New intimate partner violence screening app developed by St. Michael’s

Posted on by Emily Holton

One in six women in fracture clinics around the world has experienced intimate partner violence, but screening for such abuse remains scarce.

MAP Centre for Urban Health Solutions has partnered with the Fracture Clinic at St. Michael’s Hospital to design and implement an electronic screening application for intimate partner violence that can be used within and beyond the hospital.

“We talked to women who had either lived with or were living with partner violence and we kept hearing them say that they realized too late in their relationship that they were living with unsafe behaviours,” said Dr. Patricia O’Campo, scientist at MAP, and co-lead on the development of the app.

“They wished they had known earlier that there were red flags. That’s where the initial idea to put screening into women’s hands came from.”

Eight MAP researchers receive more than $18 million in federal funding

Posted on by Emily Holton

Eight researchers at MAP Centre for Urban Health Solutions have received more than $18 million in federal funding from recent Canada Research Chair allocations and Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR) and Collaborative Health Research Projects (CHRP) grant competitions.

Dr. Stephen Hwang, the director of MAP Centre for Urban Health Solutions, was one of 28 researchers to receive support in the most recent round of CIHR Foundation Grant competition. CIHR Foundation Grants provide long-term support for leading health researchers in the pursuit of innovative, high-impact research programs. This year’s competition was the final round of the Foundation Grants program.

Dr. Hwang, whose research focuses on improving the health of homeless or vulnerably housed people, received a seven-year year Foundation Grant to continue his interventions research in homelessness, housing and health.

Dr. Janet Smylie, the director of the Well Living House, a specialized Indigenous health research unit housed in MAP, was also successful in the Foundation Grant competition…

Dr. Pat O’Campo named fellow of the Royal Society of Canada

Posted on by Emily Holton

Dr. Patricia O’Campo has been named a fellow of the Royal Society of Canada, joining 2,000 Canadian artists, scientists and scholars in this prestigious group.

“It’s thrilling to be recognized by a group of outstanding scientists who are among the best scientists in Canada. Being recognized for the body of your research, not just one paper or study, just feels great,” said Dr. O’Campo.

With 30 years under her belt, O’Campo is a pioneer in epidemiology. When she began her training, traditional epidemiology focused on clinical care, epidemics and patient factors that determined major health problems like cancer and cardiovascular health. Her early research helped shape what is now known as social epidemiology.

Two MAP scientists awarded prestigious Canada Research Chairs

Posted on by Emily Holton

Two MAP scientists were appointed Canada Research Chairs earlier today, in an announcement made by Science and Sport Minister Kirsty Duncan at the University of Victoria.

Drs. Patricia O’Campo and Nav Persaud are joining eight other current Canada Research Chair holders at St. Michael’s Hospital. Learn more about their work below.

Dr. Patricia O’Campo

Canada Research Chair in Population Health Intervention Research

While we tend to think of health policies as responsible for keeping people healthy, social and economic policies are larger determinants of health than the health-care system.

Dr. Pat O’Campo, interim executive director of the Li Ka Shing Research Institute and a MAP scientist, is leading research into the advancement of population health interventions by evaluating current practices, and informing the design of health and social protection programs and policies to reduce urban health inequities.

Dr. O’Campo said she’s elated to receive this Tier 1 Canada Research Chair appointment, and excited about the ways in which it will allow her to focus her research and collaborate with others moving forward.

“Receiving this chair means we can develop new partnerships with organizations working on tough urban health challenges that impact health, and create new opportunities for training in this relatively new area of research,” said Dr. O’Campo. “It’s a real honour to be recognized for your body of research, but also to be recognized for your proposed program of research for the next seven years.”

Learn more about Dr. O’Campo

Dr. Nav Persaud

Canada Research Chair in Health Justice

Wealthy people tend to live longer and healthier lives than those who are disadvantaged.

MAP scientist Dr. Nav Persaud is studying initiatives aimed at narrowing the gap between the highest and lowest wealth brackets. In particular, he’s examining the effects of providing individuals experiencing poverty with tangible goods to improve their health, such as essential medicines and healthy foods.

Dr. Persaud said he’s looking forward to continuing his work with the support of St. Michael’s Hospital and the Canada Research Chairs Program.

“I’m delighted and grateful to be appointed a CRC,” said Dr. Persaud. “It can be difficult to secure funding, and with this appointment, I look forward to five years of support to continue studying ways to address serious global health inequalities.”

Learn more about Dr. Persaud

He’s been called a ‘lethal force’ who’s not afraid to take on medical authorities. And it all started with pain week

Posted on by Emily Holton

“At only 38, [Dr. Persaud] has distinguished himself as an advocate for patient safety, social justice, transparency and pharmacare — not to mention a brilliant researcher and practitioner. With a reputation for being principled and persistent, he has not been afraid to rock the boat if that’s what it has taken to effect change.”