Upcoming Webinar: CanPath Data Harmonization
Are you working with multi-regional data? ?️ Learn how Maelstrom Research tackles data harmonization using CanPath as a case study. ? June 10 | ? 1 PM EDT ? Register >> us02web.zoom.us/webinar/regi…
Are you working with multi-regional data? ?️ Learn how Maelstrom Research tackles data harmonization using CanPath as a case study. ? June 10 | ? 1 PM EDT ? Register >> us02web.zoom.us/webinar/regi…
Join us for an upcoming CanPath webinar that considers the connections between air pollution and rheumatic disease. February 20, 2025 ~ 12pmEST/1pmAST Registration: https://bit.ly/40YZNBx About the webinar Join Dr. Sasha Bernatsky, a leading researcher in rheumatic disease and environmental health, as she delves into how environmental exposures impact autoimmunity and inflammation. Drawing on her extensive work with CanPath, Dr. Bernatsky has demonstrated potential associations between air pollutants, including PM2.5, and autoimmunity and rheumatic diseases. In this session, Dr. Bernatsky will also preview her new research on the impact of wildfire smoke and temperature extremes on rheumatic diseases in Canada, supported by recent CIHR funding. Researchers interested in environmental health, autoimmune diseases, and leveraging population-based data for innovative studies won’t want to miss this opportunity to gain valuable insights and explore future directions in the field. About the presenter Dr. Sasha Bernatsky Sasha Bernatsky, MD PhD, is a rheumatologist, a James McGill Professor of Medicine at McGill University and a Senior Scientist of the Centre for Health Outcomes Research at the Research Institute of the McGill University Health Centre. Dr. Bernatsky is also affiliated with the McGill Environmental Epidemiology Research Group, a network with expertise in pharmacology/toxicology, and environmental sciences. She is a member of the Canadian Urban Environmental Health Research Consortium (CANUE), the Systemic Lupus International Collaborating Clinics (SLICC), and the Canadian Network for Improved Outcomes in SLE (CaNIOS). Her research focuses mainly on outcomes in rheumatic diseases, pharmacoepidemiology, and air pollution’s effects on health.
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.
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 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.
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.”
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
Type 2 diabetes (T2D) is a widespread chronic condition with severe consequences, including complications affecting blood vessels and organs, disability, and premature death. Research indicates that depression can significantly raise the risk of developing T2D, potentially through lifestyle and biological factors. Additionally, our modern diet presents a challenge with the increasing consumption of ultra-processed foods (UPF), which have been linked to a higher risk of obesity, diabetes, and hypertension. In this webinar, Dr. Norbert Schmitz and Dr. Akankasha Sen will share the synergistic effects of depression and UPF consumption on T2D risk and the risk of developing diabetes-specific complications for those with type 2 diabetes. Using longitudinal data from the CARTaGENE cohort, Dr. Schmitz and colleagues demonstrate whether the combination of these factors exacerbates the likelihood of developing T2D beyond their individual effects and whether other mechanisms affect the association, like smoking, alcohol consumption, and physical activity. Additional Details and Registration: https://canpath.ca/2024/03/webinar-ultra-processed-food-consumption-depression-diabetes/
Join CanPath for an upcoming webinar from CanPath’s incoming Executive Director, Dr. Jennifer Brooks entitled, “Empowering Breast Health: Personalized Approaches to Canadian Breast Cancer Screening” on Thursday, October 19th from 12-1pmEST/1-2pmAST. Details and registration info: https://canpath.ca/2023/09/webinar-breast-cancer-screening-brooks/
Dr. Victoria Kirsh presented at a CanPath webinar this week to present results from the SUPPORT-Canada study, funded by the federal COVID-19 Immunity Task Force (CITF). Data and blood spot samples were used from 22,300 participants from Atlantic PATH, CARTaGENE, the Ontario Health Study, Manitoba Tomorrow Project, Alberta’s Tomorrow Project, and BC Generations. Key findings include: 62% of participants had a COVID-19 infection based on anti-N measured antibody levels. Among those, 86% did not suspect they had ever had COVID-19. 95% of the COVID-19 infections were observed during the Omicron period. Risk of infection was increased among younger individuals, males, essential workers, and those who travelled. Participants with a reported COVID-19 infection reported symptoms from mild to severe, but few required hospitalization. The effectiveness of full or booster vaccination in preventing COVID-19 Omicron infection is short-term, only lasting 4 months. Time since last dose is a more important determinant of protection against infection than the number of doses. Antibody levels are correlates of vaccine-induced protection. Prior COVID-19 infection protects against reinfection for 8 months. The CanPath SUPPORT-Canada study has provided important findings related to the COVID-19 pandemic, vaccines and infections. With only 4 months of protection, these findings suggest that booster campaigns could be strategically used to rapidly boost immunity before upcoming waves of infection. Further, the longitudinal nature of CanPath participants ensures that we have a nationally representative population that can be followed for years to come (e.g., impact of Long COVID, future vaccinations, etc.). Link to recorded webinar: To come Link to webinar slide deck: https://www.covid19immunitytaskforce.ca/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/canpath-webinar-may-2023.pdf Link to CITF’s post: https://www.covid19immunitytaskforce.ca/most-canpath-study-participants-had-infection-acquired-antibodies-but-few-suspected-covid-19/