October 18, 2005 Source: University of Ottawa:
http://www.media.uottawa.ca/mediaroom/news_details-e.php?nid=712 CIHR awards nearly 18 million dollars to uOttawa researchers OTTAWA, October 18, 2005 — Researchers at the University of Ottawa and its affiliate research institutions have received $17,853,758 million in operating grants from the Canadian Institutes of Health Research. The funding will be distributed among 84 projects at the University and its partner institutions, the University of Ottawa Heart Institute, the Ottawa Health Research Institute, CHEO, and the University of Ottawa Institute for Mental Health Research. In terms of funding awarded, uOttawa received more funding than any other Ontario university with the exception of the University of Toronto. "The Faculty of Medicine is gratified to see that so many of its talented investigators and scientists are recognized by their peers. As one of Canada's most innovative medical schools, we also are grateful to CIHR and the Government of Canada for their generous support of health research, research that will benefit Canadians and their health," said Dr. Peter Walker, Dean of the Faculty of Medicine at the University of Ottawa. Here’s a quick look at some of the researchers CIHR will support: Marie-Pascale Pomey, School of Management
For years, Canadian health-care facilities have had quality and security management programs. While quality and security measurement tools have been developed at the international level, there are no uniquely Canadian tools to measure the implementation of quality and security programs. Pomey hopes to: (1) create and validate an evaluation framework for quality and security programs at Canadian health facilities and determine the most important measures in this framework; (2) evaluate the degree of implementation of these programs in Canadian health-care organizations and their ability to react to findings; and (3) explore the factors which could contribute to how widely these measures are implemented. Her study will examine the current situation with a view to developing policies to encourage best practices. Yang Mao, Faculty of Medicine, Epidemiology
Mao’s study aims to explore linking immigration data with health data for the most vulnerable group of immigrants upon arrival to Canada: those that cannot afford private health coverage while awaiting provincial health coverage. Certain groups of newcomers have been shown to suffer more from certain illnesses, including diabetes, mental health issues, and specific cancers. Refugees also are at higher risk for several known determinants of poor health including poor nutrition, reduced social support and histories of abuse. As well, problems with language and a lack of understanding of how Canada’s health system works can limit access to the system for refugees. Carol Amaratunga, Institute of Population Health
Health Canada reports that the rates of HIV/AIDS among immigrants and refugees from endemic countries are among the highest in Canada, and are increasing rapidly. Yet in Ottawa (as in other communities across Canada) some people from those countries many from specific cultural and racial communities do not seek treatment or support for HIV/AIDS because local programs are not sensitive to their values, beliefs, and customs. Amaratunga, along with a research partnership of community members, service providers and academics called goAl (Global Ottawa AIDS Link), hopes to build the capacity of the local community to respond to the needs of ethnoracial and ethnocultural communities in this area of concern. The group will examine how factors such as race, culture and gender influence population health in relation to HIV/AIDS, and how communities develop and share knowledge around theses issues. Ann Jolly, Faculty of Medicine, Epidemiology and Community Medicine
Jolly studies the global spread of sexually transmitted infections (STI) and her new research will examine whether the number of sexual partners affects the transmission of STIs. By studying three regions in China, she hopes to find out whether different strains of STI are equally distributed geographically. This research will help understand how new and resistant strains of STI are generated and spread globally. In addition, she will establish a comprehensive prototype STI management program, which in China’s early stage of HIV could be effective in reducing the numbers of limit the number of Chinese infected with HIV. Guy Trudel, Faculty of Medicine, The Rehabilitation Centre
Trudel studies differential gene expression in joint contractures. A joint contracture is a disease of the joint affecting range of motion. It can be seen in arthritis and muscular dystrophy, for example, and may lead to a person’s inability to dress, to bathe or to eat on their own. Established contractures with cartilage degeneration are irreversible. Preventing and treating contractures will be possible only by understanding the biological and molecular processes involved. Trudel hopes to discover the role of genes in this condition which may in turn help improve treatment solutions for people affected with the disabling effects of contractures.
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