Federal government supports innovative health research
Posted: March 12, 2018 1:30 p.m.
The Honourable Ralph Goodale, Minister of Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness; Dr. Randy Johner, associate professor in the Faculty of Social Work; Dr. Vianne Timmons, President and Vice-Chancellor; Dr. David Malloy, Vice-President (Research). U of R Photography
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Today, while visiting the University of Regina, the Honourable Ralph Goodale, Minister of Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness, highlighted a recent federal investment of $937,000 for the University of Regina.
This funding, through the Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR), is centred on the health of people with substance use issues, as well as the health of older adults and those who care for them.
Dr. Randy Johner, associate professor in the Faculty of Social Work, received $451,350 for her research project that will harness the power of technology to help people with substance use addictions.
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| The Honourable Ralph Goodale, Dr. Gabriella Novotna, associate professor in the Faculty of Social Work, Shauna Lafontaine, Executive Director of the Métis Addictions Council of Saskatchewan, Inc., Dr. Vianne Timmons and Dr. David Malloy. U of R Photography |
“I am very excited to receive this CIHR award,” says Johner. “For the next three years, our multidisciplinary team of researchers from social work, engineering, sociology, medicine and nursing, will develop and pilot substance use treatment interventions for individuals with diverse learning needs, while using innovative technologies to develop a culturally-informed application (App). This project will build university and community partnerships, with the direct involvement of the Métis Addictions Council of Saskatchewan Inc. and their community members who will assist with creating and testing the App.”
During the event, Goodale also recognized the work of Dr. Shanthi Johnson, a professor in the Faculty of Kinesiology and Health Studies and research faculty at the Saskatchewan Population Health and Evaluation Research Unit.
Johnson’s team received a CIHR grant of $485,775 to implement and study the impact of a home exercise program developed for older adults receiving home care, and their home care staff. The goal of the project is to improve the physical health and reduce the incidence of falls among older adults, while lowering rates of musculoskeletal disorders among support workers, who have physically demanding jobs.
“Congratulations to the researchers who have received these CIHR grants,” says Goodale. “Your important work holds the key to saving lives, discovering new treatments, scientific breakthroughs, the creation of the new knowledge that is at the core of advances in health, as well as achieving long-term cost savings in the health care system.”
Dr. Vianne Timmons, University of Regina President and Vice-Chancellor, says both Johner and Johnson care about people and are putting their minds to the task of helping those who might fly under the radar.
“University of Regina researchers are dedicated to improving the health of Canadians,” says Timmons. “Whether through developing technology that is able to provide culturally-centred substance addiction support or by implementing exercises designed to improve health, reduce falls and lower rates of musculoskeletal disorders in older adults and their continuing care aides, these made-in-Saskatchewan innovations are truly changing lives for the better.”
Today’s funding was part of a larger investment from CIHR for $372 million across the country, to enable researchers to study a full spectrum of health issues affecting the lives of Canadians.
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