ATTENTION: Assignment editors, health, research and science reporters
| For immediate release - |
2006-56 |
OTTAWA (November 7, 2006) - The quality of Canadian child health research on disability is recognized globally. Canada has many experienced researchers working in this field, conducting population studies on children. Canadian researchers have developed many innovative solutions to difficult problems that have been implemented around the world. These include artificial limbs, specialized braces and mobility systems to name just a few.
Despite Canada's strengths, as a country we lack a unified research agenda for pediatric rehabilitation. Such an agenda would allow children and their families, service providers, researchers, academics, policy-makers and industry to interact and contribute to the advancement of research in this field. The Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR) and Bloorview Research Institute have invited experts in this field to a workshop to define national research priorities for pediatric rehabilitation. Bloorview Childrens Hospital Foundation is investing a $1.5 million grant to support the research, with matching funds from CIHR. The CIHR Institutes of Human Development, Child and Youth Health (IHDCYH), and Musculoskeletal Health and Arthritis (IMHA) will be partnering with Bloorview to meet the research needs in this field. Two of their research experts are available to comment on the partnership, as well as the research currently undertaken.
According to Health Canada, 7.2 per cent of all Canadian children have some form of disability or special health-care need.
"Disability needs change constantly throughout childhood and adolescence," says Dr. Michael Kramer, based in Montreal and Scientific Director of the CIHR-IHDCYH. "Research, just like services, must be designed and constructed in a manner that is sensitive to and addresses these needs. Our partnership with the Bloorview Research Institute will enable us to efficiently link the various research disciplines to improve the child health research on disability."
"By creating a cohesive national research agenda for pediatric rehabilitation, all Canadian children with disabilities and their families will benefit," says Dr. Colin Macarthur, Director of the Bloorview Research Institute. "This partnership will enhance the quality of care and quality of life of children with disabilities and special needs through knowledge generation and sharing, as well as training of new researchers in the field."
Dr. Michael Kramer, is available to comment in English and in French on the partnership as well as the current child health research conducted on disability.
Dr. Colin Macarthur, is available to comment in English on the partnership as well as on the research undertaken at Bloorview Kids Rehab.
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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 to more than 10,000 health researchers and trainees across Canada. www.cihr-irsc.gc.ca
CIHR- IHDCYH supports research that ensures the best start in life for all Canadians and the achievement of their potential for optimal growth and development.
CIHR-IMHA supports research to enhance active living, mobility and movement, and oral health. IMHA addresses causes, prevention, screening, diagnosis, treatment, support systems, and palliation for a wide range of conditions related to bones, joints, muscles, connective tissue, skin and teeth.
Bloorview Kids Rehab is Canada's largest children's rehabilitation hospital. For over a century, Bloorview has pioneered clinical, research, education, arts and independence programs that empower children with disabilities and their families. Bloorview is a teaching hospital of the University of Toronto, advancing knowledge about childhood disability through scholarship. The Bloorview Research Institute is home to Canada's top rehab scientists and engineers, whose clinical discoveries and technological inventions benefit children with disabilities worldwide.
For an interview with Dr. Kramer, please contact:
Marie-France Poirier
CIHR Media Specialist
Office: (613) 941-4563
Mobile: (613) 447-4794
E-mail: mediarelations@cihr-irsc.gc.ca
For an interview with Dr. Macarthur, please contact:
Louise Kinross
Communications Manager
Bloorview Kids Rehab
Office: (416) 424-3866
Pager: (416) 589-8826
E-Mail: lkinross@bloorview.ca
