Project description:Background The goal of this research project was to identify and suggest means of filling the gaps/needs in Canadian research activity and public policy action on the income and health relationship. Methods The research consisted of an environmental scan and analysis of 321 empirical research pieces from Canada (n=241), the United Kingdom (n=40) and Finland (n=40) followed by a systematic gaps/needs analysis of these studies by members of three advisory committees, consisting of researchers and policy advocates. These data were complemented by key informant interviews with researchers from Canada, the UK and Finland. The gaps/needs were then reviewed and assigned priority rankings by members of the three advisory committees. Findings Numerous gaps/needs in Canadian research on income and health were apparent. They fell into five main areas: (a) training and capacity building in addressing income as a health determinant; (b) developing adequate data and measures; (c) researching specific substantive health issues; (d) researching specific public policy areas; and (e) developing an understanding of the pathways and mechanisms mediating the income and health relationship. Members of the advisory committees achieved a high level of agreement concerning these gaps/needs and means of reducing them. Conclusions The Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR) and the Institute of Population Health should target specific research initiatives to help fill the identified gaps in knowledge. They should also work together with public policy institutes to synthesize findings concerning income, its distribution, and health, and help distribute these findings to the public in general and policy-makers in particular. Electronic Supplementary Material Supplementary material is available for this article at 10.1007/BF03405393 and is accessible for authorized users.
Project description:The French Institute for Public Health Surveillance monitors health events of potential international importance occurring worldwide to provide timely warning to French health authorities. We reviewed the nature and place of occurrence of the last 200 events. From an individual country's perspective, the need for multiple sources is emphasized.
Project description:Background A review of infectious disease research activity and capacity was performed in British Columbia and linked to a process for identifying needs, gaps and opportunities from a public health perspective. Methods The study was organized in three phases: an environmental scan to describe current research activity in BC; a consultation to identify needs, gaps and opportunities with those conducting research (key informants) and the end users of research results (stakeholders); and a prioritization of the research needs emerging from the consultation. Results Analysis and synthesis of the consultation data resulted in the identification of nine research themes, which were prioritized in the following order: efficacy and cost-benefit, disease patterns, emerging infectious disease, immunology and vaccines, disease-specific research, health promotion and communications, safe food and water, knowledge translation research and genomics. Six capacity-building themes were also identified: attraction and retention, education and training, collaboration and networks, funding, dissemination of findings, and public health input, surveillance, informatics and databases. Interpretation The findings were helpful in developing a multi-disciplinary, multi-level infectious disease research agenda linking researchers in universities, hospitals and public health institutions with practitioners and policy-makers in British Columbia’s public health system. The approach is both feasible and important to undertake at the national level. Electronic Supplementary Material Supplementary material is available for this article at 10.1007/BF03405394 and is accessible for authorized users.
Project description:We wish to respond to the commentary of de la Iglesia et al. [1]. Studies comparing sleep in different communities have different goals. One frequent goal has been to determine how sleep is affected by manipulating specific 'modern' conditions. Many studies have investigated the effect of artificial light and electronic entertainment. Such studies have clearly shown that light, particularly blue light, delays sleep onset [2]. Studying the effect of artificial light on sleep was not a goal of our study.
Project description:Background: Spinal fusion for scoliosis generates moderate to severe pain intensity. There are currently no instruments available to measure adolescents' satisfaction regarding post-spinal fusion pain management. Aims: To develop and validate a scale on satisfaction of adolescents regarding pain management following spinal fusion for scoliosis. Methods: A methodological design was used to develop and validate the French-Canadian scale "Satisfaction des Adolescents de la gestion de la Douleur postopératoire - Scoliose idiopathique (SAD-S)". A modified Delphi method, with seven healthcare professionals and 10 adolescents, was used to establish content validity of the SAD-S. A pre-test of the scale was conducted with 10 adolescents post-spinal fusion. The final version of the scale was validated through a pilot study with 98 adolescents following their surgery. Results: The SAD-S scale includes a total of 13 items. Principal component analysis yielded a two-factor structure (2 subscales): 1) Pain management education and 2) Education regarding medication. These two factors explained 47,8% of the total variance for satisfaction. A Cronbach's alpha of 0,84 was obtained for internal consistency. Conclusion: Validation of the SAD-S scale showed that it has good psychometric properties with this population. Further validation is required with a larger sample to pursue its validation.
Project description:Primary objectives: Analyser le profil de la réponse inflammatoire cutanée des patients traités par anti-EGFR et de rechercher le lien avec la réponse radiologique
Primary endpoints: Le critère de jugement principal est la variation du taux des différents marqueurs inflammatoires cutanés présents au niveau des biopsies cutanées pré et post-thérapeutiques en fonction de la réponse radiologique.
Project description:Aboriginal peoples are the original inhabitants of Canada. These many diverse peoples have distinct languages, cultures, religious beliefs and political systems. The current dietary practices of Aboriginal peoples pose significant health risks. Interventions to improve the nutritional status of Aboriginal peoples must reflect the realities of how people make food choices and therefore should be informed by an understanding of contemporary patterns of food procurement, preparation and distribution. Most of the literature documenting the health of Aboriginal peoples is primarily epidemiologic, and there is limited discussion of the determinants that contribute to health status. The majority of studies examining dietary intake in Aboriginal communities do not aim to study the determinants of food intake per se even though many describe differences in food intake across sex, age groups, seasons and sometimes communities, and may describe factors that could have an effect on food consumption (e.g., employment status, level of education, household size, presence of a hunter/trapper/fisher, occupation, main source of income). For these reasons, there are many gaps in knowledge pertaining to the determinants of healthy eating in Aboriginal peoples that must be filled. Given the diversity of Aboriginal peoples, research to address the gaps should take place at both the national level and at a more local level. Research would be important for each of Inuit, Métis and First Nations. Electronic Supplementary Material Supplementary material is available for this article at 10.1007/BF03405199 and is accessible for authorized users.