uOttawa News

OTTAWA, September 28, 2012  —  A unique large-scale study and partnership led by the University of Ottawa has won the Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR) Partnership Award for work identifying crucial health and social needs of neighbourhoods in the Canada’s capital.

The Ottawa Neighbourhood Study, led by University of Ottawa professor Elizabeth Kristjansson of the School of Psychology and the Institute of Population Health, profiles Ottawa neighbourhoods using a combination of health, environmental and safety indicators to enable residents and decision makers to better address social challenges in each neighbourhood.

Every profile provides a snapshot of Ottawa’s social diversity, using common indicators such as parks and recreation, available health resources, housing, food environment, education and culture, and health outcomes. The data are now being used for urban and health planning, as well as to mobilize residents for healthier and safer communities. The Ottawa Neighbourhood Study approach is now being considered by other Canadian cities.

The research partners include Carleton University, local community health and resource centres, Ottawa Public Health, United Way/Centraide Ottawa, the Champlain Local Health Integration Network, IBM, the City of Ottawa and other Ottawa community groups.

The CIHR Partnership Award is given annually to a partnership in Canada that demonstrates excellence in bringing health research communities together. It recognizes cross-sectoral partnerships between health researchers and partners from the private, voluntary and public sectors.

Learn more about the Ottawa Neighbourhood Study.

The University of Ottawa is committed to research excellence and encourages an interdisciplinary approach to knowledge creation, which attracts the best academic talent from across Canada and around the world. The University is an important stakeholder in the National Capital Region’s economic development.