For immediate release -
2006-45
Halifax (October 20, 2006) - The Honourable Peter MacKay, Minister Responsible for Nova Scotia, on behalf of the Honourable Tony Clement, Minister of Health, highlighted along with Dr. Alan Bernstein, President of the Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR), the recipients of an investment of $8 million to fund health research in Nova Scotia.
"Promoting ground breaking health research is a crucial component of our government's plan to build a healthy, prosperous and innovative Canada," said Minister MacKay. "The funding will help enhance the health research capabilities of our institutions across Nova Scotia, which will benefit all Canadians."
The 50 research projects funded will be conducted at universities and research institutions throughout the province. The studies will be carried out over periods of one to five years and cover a wide spectrum of health research. Minister MacKay highlighted four researchers whose work exemplifies CIHR's comprehensive, problem-based approach to funding health research:
Dr. Penny Corkum (Dalhousie University) will examine whether stimulant medication used to treat ADHD in children affects their sleep.
Dr. Barbara Karten (Dalhousie University) will study whether defects in cholesterol metabolism could cause or worsen neurodegenerative disease such as Niemann-Pick type C disease.
Dr. Janice Keefe (Mount Saint Vincent University) will project the need for home care services for the growing number of people aged 65 and over with long-term health problems.
Dr. Peter Twohig (Saint Mary's University) will examine how different health professions work together to better care for patients and strengthen Canada's health care system.
"I take tremendous pleasure in seeing how CIHR's programs are supporting talented and committed Canadian researchers in all areas of health and how their research is leading to important new findings that will benefit all of us," said Dr. Bernstein.
The funding highlighted is part of a larger package 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 over 10,000 health researchers and trainees across Canada. http://www.cihr-irsc.gc.ca/
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Attachments:Grant Allocations Highlighted projects backgrounder
Further information:Marie-France Poirier, CIHR Media Relations, (613) 447-4794Eric Waddell, Press Secretary, Office of the Honourable Tony Clement, (613) 957-0200Cindy McInnes, Special Assistant-Communications, Office of the Honourable, Peter MacKay (902) 426-4414
