Government of Canada contributes to global effort to tackle chronic lung diseases

by ahnationtalk on December 17, 2015682 Views

Funding to support prevention research in low and middle income countries

December 17, 2015 – Ottawa, Ontario – Canadian Institutes of Health Research

The Honourable Jane Philpott, Minister of Health, and the Honourable Marie-Claude Bibeau, Minister of International Development and La Francophonie, today announced an investment of $5 million from the Government of Canada to support new research focused on reducing the global impact of chronic lung diseases.

The funding will support teams of researchers from Canada and low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). The teams will study how to prevent chronic lung diseases such as asthma, lung cancer, and chronic pulmonary obstructive disease in LMICs. The primary focus is on policies, programs and other interventions that aim to reduce tobacco use. The funding opportunity also invites research proposals involving Canadian Indigenous communities.

The Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR) and Canada’s International Development Research Centre (IDRC) are providing the funding as Canadian partners in the Global Alliance for Chronic Diseases (GACD). The research teams supported through this funding opportunity will be part of a global research network that will facilitate collaboration and the sharing of information.

Quick Facts

According to the World Health Organization, of the hundreds of millions of people who suffer from chronic respiratory diseases worldwide, more than 500 million people live in LMICs.
Established in 2009, GACD is composed of the world’s largest health research funding agencies, including CIHR. GACD coordinates research funding opportunities on priorities agreed to by its members, with a focus on non-communicable chronic diseases in LMICs.
With its member agencies, GACD is leading a research program focused on the prevention and management of chronic lung diseases in LMICs and targeted populations in high-income countries, such as Indigenous populations in Canada, Australia and the United States.
Since 1994, IDRC has supported developing countries to build local evidence to minimise the health and economic impacts of tobacco, innovating and sometimes adapting lessons from Canada’s world-leading efforts. IDRC contributes to GACD in partnership with CIHR.

Quotes

“As Canada’s Minister of Health, I am committed to doing what I can to improve the health of Canadians. I also recognize that Canada can make an important contribution to addressing global health problems. I am pleased to see that under this initiative we will support Canadian researchers who will work hand in hand with researchers and health care providers in other countries to implement evidence-based policies and programs to prevent chronic lung disease in low- and middle-income countries.”

– The Honourable Dr. Jane Philpott
Minister of Health

“Canada is proud to invest in this important initiative to reduce the global impact of chronic lung diseases. Preventing these diseases, particularly in low- and middle-income countries, must be driven by evidence and outcomes. With key Canadian and International partners, this initiative will develop innovative solutions to combat these health challenges around the world.”

– The Honourable Marie-Claude Bibeau
Minister of International Development and La Francophonie

Government of Canada contributes to global effort to tackle chronic lung diseases

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