Ottawa Partners Win National Prize - Ottawa Neighbourhood Study recipients of 2012 CIHR Partnership Award

OTTAWA, Sept. 28, 2012 /CNW/ - The Canadian Institutes of Health Research today recognized the winning team of this year's national CIHR Partnership Award - the Ottawa Neighbourhood Study (ONS). The team includes partners from the University of Ottawa, Carleton University, the City of Ottawa, local community health and resource centres, Ottawa Public Health, United Way/Centraide Ottawa, the Champlain Local Health Integration Network, IBM, and other community groups within Ottawa.

"I congratulate all those who have worked with the Ottawa Neighbourhood Study for winning this prestigious national award," said Dr. Bob Thirsk, Vice-President at the Canadian Institutes of Health Research. "By bringing together such a diverse group of researchers, community and private partners, the team has made impressive advancements in the way the needs of communities in Ottawa are addressed."

The Ottawa Neighbourhood Study was set up in 2005 to measure, quantify and map different aspects of the social and economic determinants of health across the city. Team members worked together to collect this information neighbourhood-by-neighbourhood. They gathered obesity rates, numbers of parks or green spaces, quality of housing, and much more. The idea was that with these figures in hand, governments and residents could better address social challenges by directing interventions based on each neighbourhood's needs.

The team was lead by Dr. Elizabeth Kristjansson from the University of Ottawa. "Without the invaluable contributions of Ottawa residents and our partners in public health, community services, municipal planning and the private sector, ONS could never have accomplished as much," she said. "This partnership adds value to our research and we are pleased that the CIHR award has acknowledged this."

The data collected by the Ottawa Neighbourhood Study is 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 cities in Canada.

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. To view past recipients and information about the award: www.cihr-irsc.gc.ca/e/27367.html

The Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR) is the Government of Canada's health research investment agency. CIHR's mission is to create new scientific knowledge and to enable 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 to more than 14,100 health researchers and trainees across Canada. www.cihr-irsc.gc.ca

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SOURCE: Canadian Institutes of Health Research

David Coulombe, CIHR Media Relations, 613-941-4563 Cell: 613-808-7526