Upcoming Webinar: Environmental Exposure Datasets with CanPath and CANUE

Enhancing health research with new environmental exposure datasets from CANUE and CanPath November 18, 2024, 1-2pmEST/2-3pmAST Register: https://canpath.ca/2024/10/enhancing-health-research-with-new-environmental-exposure-datasets-from-canue-and-canpath/ CanPath is expanding its collaboration with the Canadian Urban Environmental Health Research Consortium (CANUE) by adding 17 new environmental exposure datasets to its existing data resources. CANUE provides standardized, area-level data on air and noise pollution, green spaces, climate change, and socioeconomic factors, linked to health cohort studies using participant residential postal codes. This webinar will introduce researchers to these new datasets, which include comprehensive measures of green spaces and vegetation (e.g., NDVI, Landsat, MODIS), air quality (PM2.5, smoke exposure), accessibility and transportation, and socioeconomic conditions. These data will be integrated with CanPath’s national harmonized dataset, providing researchers with a unique opportunity to explore the intersection of environmental exposures and health outcomes. The session will highlight practical examples of how these datasets can be utilized in studies focused on chronic diseases, cancer, and environmental health, offering researchers powerful tools to examine the spatial dimensions of health determinants. Additionally, we are pleased to share the upcoming release of Understanding Cancer Prevention through Geospatial Science: Putting Cancer in its Place, edited by one of our presenters, Dr. Trevor Dummer. The book discusses how geospatial science can support cancer prevention, featuring CanPath and CANUE in one of its chapters. Who should attend? Health and environmental researchers Epidemiologists Data scientists Public health professionals This webinar is an essential opportunity for researchers looking to expand their toolkit for investigating the impact of environmental exposures on health, utilizing rich, nationally harmonized cohort data. About the presenters Dr. Trevor Dummer Dr. Trevor Dummer, a health geographer with a PhD in Environmental Epidemiology from Newcastle University, has made significant contributions to cancer research and prevention. He joined CanPath in 2008 as the Research Director and later Co-Principal Investigator of Atlantic PATH. He was the Co-Scientific Director of the BC Generations Project (2015-2021). He has been the National Scientific Co-Director of CanPath since 2018. Holding the Canadian Cancer Society Chair in Cancer Primary Prevention, Dr. Dummer also serves as a Professor at the School of Population and Public Health, University of British Columbia (UBC). His research delves into the impact of environmental, community, and neighbourhood factors on health, specifically focusing on cancer prevention through community knowledge translation and studying the links between cancer and environmental exposures like radon and arsenic, as well as obesity and the built environment. Sheraz Cheema Sheraz Cheema has been CanPath’s Data Manager and part of the CanPath Access Office since January 2023. He supports data requests from national and international researchers, manages CanPath research data, generates datasets for approved projects, develops and maintains components of data auditing programs for quality assurance purposes, and provides consultative advice on data requirements. Prior to CanPath, Sheraz worked as a Research Analyst at the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health (CAHM). He holds degrees in neuroscience and health informatics. Dany Doiron Dany Doiron has been the Managing Director of CANUE since March 2022. Prior to this, he acted as Data Linkage Lead and Special Projects Manager (June 2016 – March 2022). Under his leadership, CANUE data have been integrated with all of Canada’s large cohorts and many provincial administrative health data organizations, providing one-stop research approvals. Dany is also a Research Associate at the Respiratory Epidemiology and Clinical Research Unit of the McGill University Health Centre in Montreal, Canada, and acts as the Chief Operating Officer of the Canadian Cohort of Obstructive Lung Disease (CanCOLD), a large population-based cohort dedicated to better understanding Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD). Dany holds a PhD in Epidemiology and focuses his research on the respiratory health impacts of ambient air pollution exposure. Joey Syer Joey Syer has been the CANUE Data Director since November 2022. He oversees the development of CANUE datasets and projects dedicated to their improvement in epidemiological research. Joey is also a part-time course instructor at the University of Victoria in Population Health and Geographic Information Systems (GIS), and Spatial Epidemiology and Outbreak Detection. Prior to CANUE, he spent 10 years (2012-2022) as a geomatics specialist at Hemmera, an Ausenco Company. Joey holds degrees in GIS and Epidemiology. He has a strong interest in environmental epidemiology, using GIS, remote sensing, and machine learning to improve environmental exposure data quality, and a wide range of health outcomes.

Lung Cancer Webinar (October 10th)

Webinar: Lung Cancer Screening Initiatives by G7 Cancer Dr. Jennifer Brooks, Executive Director of CanPath, is actively involved in research focused on cancer prevention and early detection. In addition to her role at CanPath, Dr. Brooks contributes to the G7 Cancer working group, which addresses cancer prevention and early detection on an international scale. Interested in the latest developments in lung cancer screening? Register here for their upcoming webinar on lung cancer screening protocols across the G7 countries: https://lnkd.in/diUYQ-gh ?️ October 10, 2024 ? 8:00 am EST/9:00 am AST  

Webinar: Genomic and environmental influences on Canadian health phenotypes and chronic disease outcomes

Webinar: Genomic and environmental influences on Canadian health phenotypes and chronic disease outcomes When? July 18, 2024, 2pmEST/3pmAST Register: https://bit.ly/3XU9Jws In this talk, Drs. Philip Awadalla and Marie-Julie Favé describe the intricate interplay between genetic and environmental factors and their influence on chronic diseases and phenotypes, utilizing data from CanPath, Canada’s largest population health cohort. By integrating genomic, environmental, and lifestyle data, Drs. Awadalla and Favé uncover how gene-environment interactions shape health outcomes. These findings provide insights into disease mechanisms and potential interventions, highlighting the importance of large and deep population cohort data. Attendees will gain a deeper understanding of the complex dynamics that contribute to chronic disease development and the critical role of comprehensive population health studies in identifying at-risk populations and individuals, supporting both personalized and public health strategies.  

Upcoming Webinar – HDRN and CanPath (June 5)

We are looking forward to attending the upcoming webinar from Health Data Research Network Canada and the Canadian Partnership for Tomorrow’s Health on June 5th at 1pmEST/2pmAST. Featuring Dr. Aline Talhouk, Carrie-Anne Whyte, Jodi Gatley, and CanPath Executive Director, Dr. Jennifer Brooks. Registration: https://bit.ly/3UsnNK9 “Are you a researcher seeking data from Canada’s largest population study – the Canadian Partnership for Tomorrow’s Health (CanPath)? HDRN Canada’s Data Access Support Hub (DASH) offers coordinated services to researchers interested in accessing administrative health data from more than one province or territory in Canada. Learn about the innovative partnership between CanPath and HDRN Canada, and discover how HDRN Canada can help you navigate the multi-regional data access process through DASH.”

Shaping the Future of Health Care with New Technologies, Devices and eHealth Innovations

CanPath National Scientific Director Dr. Philip Awadalla is presenting at an upcoming virtual event hosted by the Parliamentary Health Research Caucus and Research Canada. Join to learn more about current trends in Canadian healthcare, particularly in the tech and eHealth space. ?️ Wednesday, May 8 ? 12pmEST/1pmAST ?https://rc-rc.ca/phrc-virtual-ehealth-event-may-8-2024/ Special Virtual Event hosted by the Parliamentary Health Research Caucus and Research Canada Join the Honourable, Dr. Helena Jaczek, MP Markham-Stoufville and PHRC Chair and the Caucus Leadership , Dr. Stephen Ellis, MP (Cumberland-Colchester), Ms. Carol Hughes, MP (Algoma—Manitoulin—Kapuskasing) and Hon. Mohamed-Iqbal Ravalia, Senator (Newfoundland and Labrador) who will host a virtual presentation and Q & A period with esteemed Researchers in the field of eHealth. Technology and eHealth innovations in Canada are playing a transformative role in shaping the healthcare landscape. The integration of advanced technologies and digital solutions is revolutionizing how healthcare services are delivered, accessed, and experienced. Discover the dynamic shifts underway in Canadian healthcare and join us for an insightful afternoon where leading researchers, industry experts, health innovation stakeholders and policy makers come together to explore the latest advancements.

Real World Data Challenges Webinar

Join CanPath co-Scientific Director, Dr. Philip Awadalla in the upcoming lifebit webinar, “3 Strategies for RWD (Read World Data) Challenges in Clinical Research and Trails.” Hear from leading experts to discuss the current challenges around using real world data showcase some solutions to enable the use of population level data and diverse studies for R&D. Topics will include: Ensuring real world data security, quality and interoperability The current landscape surrounding regulations on using real world data Enabling secure access to RWD for clinical research and trials Thursday, April 25th at 12pmAST/11pmEST.  Registration: https://www.lifebit.ai/events/3-strategies-for-rwd-challenges-in-clinical-research-and-trials  

CanPath Newsletter

The latest CanPath newsletter highlights new research on mental health service use and COVID-19, rural communities facing higher risks of lung cancer from radon, Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month, and updates from all the regional cohorts. The Atlantic PATH team continues to work remotely to support access requests for researchers for baseline, follow-up and COVID-19 questionnaire datasets. Congratulations to Dr. Maartje Basten and team on the latest PSYchosocial factors and Cancer (PSY-CA) study publication. Led from the Netherlands, this article examines psychosocial factors, health behaviours and risk of cancer incidence. The latest publications from Atlantic PATH can be found here, and the latest news and announcements can be found by following on Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn, or the website.

CanPath Featured as one of Canada’s Most Successful Investments in Biobanking

CanPath was featured as one of Canada’s most successful investments in biobanking! ?? In an Open Access Government article, Francois Lamontagne, Paul Hebert, and Michelle Kho (Sepsis Canada) emphasize the critical role of biobanks in generating new insights into healthcare and disease management. They underscore the pitfalls of ‘classic’ biobanks, highlight the low-cost opportunity of ‘living’ biobank infrastructure, and suggest a way forward toward sustainable, high-impact, decentralized, federated, and ‘living’ biobank infrastructure. ?? From understanding genetic influences to environmental factors, Canadians’ biological samples collected through CanPath and regional cohorts’ studies are paving the path for a healthier future. ?? Read the full article here: https://lnkd.in/dN5VdX8j

CanPath Access Office Hours

Join CanPath for an informative session on accessing CanPath data and biosamples for your research projects! Whether you’re a seasoned researcher or new to the process, our Access Office experts are here to provide insider tips on ensuring your application is successful. The “Access Office Hours” virtual series provides researchers with an opportunity every quarter to ask questions they may have about CanPath data and biosamples, the access process or the CanPath Portal. Members of the Access Office will be available to answer questions and demonstrate how to navigate the Portal and online application. Additional details and registration: https://canpath.ca/2024/03/access-office-hours-insider-tips-for-effective-health-data-applications/