Saskatchewan (April 20, 2006) - Maurice Vellacott, Member of Parliament for Saskatoon-Wanuskewin, on behalf of the Honourable Tony Clement, Minister of Health, highlighted today along with Dr. Alan Bernstein, President of the Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR), the recipients of an investment of close to $4 million to fund health research in Saskatchewan.
"Promoting ground breaking health research is a crucial component of our government's plan to build a healthy, prosperous and innovative Canada," said Mr. Vellacott. "The funding announced today is helping to enhance the health research capabilities at the University of Saskatchewan and the University of Regina, which will benefit all Canadians. For example, the work being done by Dr. Lewis Williams and Dr. Caroline Tait will contribute significantly to strengthening our health care system."
The 14 research projects funded will be conducted at the University of Saskatchewan and the University of Regina. The studies will be carried out over periods of one to five years and cover a wide spectrum of health research. Mr. Vellacott highlighted three researchers whose work exemplifies CIHR's comprehensive, problem-based approach to funding health research:
Dr. Mary Hampton (University of Regina) will conduct research to enhance the delivery of culturally appropriate end-of-life care to Aboriginal families;
Dr. Bonnie Janzen (University of Saskatchewan) will develop a tool to measure the impact of family work on women's health; and
Drs. Lewis Williams and Caroline Tait (University of Saskatchewan) will develop ways to better understand and reduce mental health disparities among marginalized groups.
"The prevention, eradication and treatment of disease and the building of an affordable but effective, innovative and publicly funded health care system all requires research, " said Dr. Bernstein. "CIHR-funded health researchers not only create world-class knowledge that is being put to use right now, across all sectors of society, but their work also contributes to strengthening the research and training environment for young Canadians in all regions of the country."
The funding highlighted today is part of a larger package recently announced by the Minister of Health.
The Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR) is the Government of Canada's agency for health research. CIHR's mission is to create new scientific knowledge and to catalyze its translation into improved health, more effective health services and products, and a strengthened Canadian health care system. Composed of 13 Institutes, CIHR provides leadership and support close to 10,000 health researchers and trainees across Canada. www.cihr-irsc.gc.ca/
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Attachments:Grant Allocations Highlighted Projects Backgrounder
Further information:Marie-France Poirier, CIHR Media Relations, (613) 447-4794Tim Bloedow, Office of Maurice Vellacott, MP, (613) 297-2249 or (306) 975-4725
