The results of the CIHR’s Fall 2022 Project Grant Competition have just been announced. CHÉOS Scientists are leading five of the projects funded in this round, plus a further five projects are supported by CHÉOS Scientists as co-investigators. An additional project received bridge funding.
Adolescents and young adults face unique challenges compared to adults after being diagnosed with cancer, including the potential impact of cancer and cancer treatment on reproductive and sexual health. To address the gap in knowledge, CHÉOS Scientist Dr. Mary De Vera is co-leading a project which will both analyze big health care data and hold focus groups with adolescents and young adults to gather their experiences with reproductive and sexual health during and after their treatment. Learn more about the project here.
Multiple social and physical exposures early on in life, including the climate crisis and the COVID-19 pandemic, threaten to negatively impact the mental health of youth. CHÉOS Scientist Dr. Anne Gadermann is leading a project which uses a data platform to look at the impacts of multiple risk and protective factors from birth to young adulthood. Information analyzed will include teacher and child/adolescent self-reported mental health, medical records, family and neighbourhood social and demographic characteristics, and environmental exposures. The aim is to improve child and youth mental health outcomes by providing actionable evidence to health professionals, schools, communities, and policy-makers. Co-investigators include CHÉOS Scientists Drs. Skye Barbic and Joseph Puyat. Learn more about the project here.
Currently, it is not known how frequently children with special health needs develop a mental disorder in childhood or adolescence, or whether their early development, combined with individual, family, and neighbourhood factors, may impact their mental health. CHÉOS Scientist Dr. Anne Gadermann is a co-principal investigator on a study using Early Development Instrument data for kindergarten children in Ontario, Manitoba, and B.C. The goal of this project is to see how many children with special health needs have depression, anxiety, attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder, or conduct disorder. Learn more about the project here.
Although falls resulting in unintentional injuries are the leading cause of death in individuals 65 and over, there is little information on how to prevent falls in older adults with difficulties in their thinking abilities (cognitive frailty). CHÉOS Scientist Dr. Linda Li is a co-principal investigator on a study using a home-based exercise program app in conjunction with physical therapists to work on exercise goals and action planning specific to each individual. The aim of this project, supported by CHÉOS Program Head of Biostatistics Dr. Hubert Wong, is to guide future strategies to improve life expectancy and quality of life in people with cognitive frailty. Learn more about the project here.
Early rehabilitation exercise starting in the intensive care unit (ICU) can help improve patient recovery, which led to the Canadian-led, international CYCLE trial. This trial used a bicycle modified to attach to a hospital bed, allowing patients to exercise using their legs. New CHÉOS Scientist Dr. Srinivas Murthy, is a co-principal investigator on a follow-up project to share the results of the CYCLE trial with researchers, clinicians, patients, and health care system leaders. This research group, with CHÉOS Scientist Dr. Linda Li, also wants to study the CYCLE trial to understand its strengths and weaknesses and help plan future ICU rehabilitation treatments. Learn more about the project here.
To provide care for friends and family, many caregivers experience emotional and physical stress which can harm their health and lead to financial costs affecting both individuals and society. CHÉOS Program Head of Health Economics Dr. Wei Zhang, with CHÉOS’ Associate Director Dr. Amy Salmon and Program Head of Patient-Reported Outcomes Dr. Rick Sawatzky, received bridge funding for one year to look into the social and economic burden of caregiving. This project’s goal is to recommend policies to improve caregivers’ overall wellness and work productivity. Learn more about the project here.
CHÉOS Scientist Dr. Mary De Vera is a co-investigator on a mixed methods study to evaluate mental health during the transition to parenthood specific to persons living with autoimmune rheumatic diseases. Learn more about the project here.
CHÉOS Scientist Emeritus Dr. Peter Dodek is a co-investigator for a project looking to develop learning strategies for surveillance of acute myocardial infarction, hypertension, and sepsis using cross-jurisdictional electronic medical records. Learn more about the project here.
CHÉOS Scientist Dr. Adeera Levin is co-investigator for a project looking at the impact of gender-affirming hormone therapy on biomarkers of kidney function and glomerular filtration rate in transgender adults. Learn more about the project here.
CHÉOS Scientist Dr. Linda Li is a co-investigator for a project assessing the physiological and morphological mechanisms of increased breathlessness in females with coronary obstructive pulmonary disease. Learn more about the project here.
CHÉOS Scientist Dr. Ricky Turgeon is a co-investigator for a project aiming to optimize patient-centered management of coronary artery disease by characterizing patient preferences and personalizing risk information. Learn more about the project here.
