New Year's Resolution: Go Online to Help Future Generations

Ontario Health Study turns festive season into something more socially directed

TORONTO, Dec. 15 /CNW/ - As New Year's turns people's thoughts to renewal, self-improvement and a more productive lifestyle, we should ask not only how we can resolve to improve ourselves, but how we can make the world a better place for family, friends and the health of our community as a whole.

Recast the same old New Years' resolutions - so often about breaking negative habits - into a pledge and resolution to do something positive for the future. By giving a small amount of time and going online to www.ontariohealthstudy.ca, individuals can take stock of their own health while at the same time providing a wealth of information that will help thousands of researchers working to discover the determinants of health and disease - in turn helping improve Ontario's health system for future generations.

The Ontario Health Study offers individuals a unique opportunity to help the future of healthcare, one by one. A resolution to take part is the first step in assisting researchers to see how environment, lifestyle and genes affect the risk of common diseases. Regardless of an individual's health condition, residents of Ontario 18 years of age or older can take part in the Ontario Health Study.

The Ontario Health Study is a landmark national and international scientific project, and the largest community-based health study ever undertaken in North America. The Ontario Health Study is a not-for-profit, population-based study aimed at investigating the factors that increase individual and community risk of developing cancer, heart disease, diabetes, asthma, Alzheimer's disease and other common diseases.  The Ontario Health Study will engage all adult Ontarians, with a focus on capturing the rich cultural and geographic diversity of the province.

The Ontario Health Study has been initially funded by four organizations: the Ontario Institute for Cancer Research, Cancer Care Ontario, the Ontario Agency for Health Protection and Promotion, and the Canadian Partnership Against Cancer. The Ontario Health Study is also a participating study of the Canadian Partnership for Tomorrow Project, which consists of a further four regional studies across Canada.

For further information:

Aaron Furfaro
Communications Officer
Office: [phone]
Mobile: [phone]
[email protected]