Major health research requires partnershipsHealth research is definitely a hot activity in Alberta, with the nearly two-decades-long support of AHFMR now totaling $540 million. The ripple effect of that investment means, that nearly $1.5 billion has come into the province to fund health research. Now with innovative funding partnerships offered on federal an provincial fronts, including AHFMR's $15 million Opportunity Fund, major research initiatives could add tens of millions more to the total of annual research moneys drawn into the province.The time is right for pooling resources, funds and ideas to capitalize provincially on this new type of partnership funding. That was the theme of the first-ever Health Research Congress, hosted by AHFMR and the Banff School of Management from May 13 - 15. More than 90 representatives from the health research field - from health region board members and CEOs to university specialists - responded to the partnership theme with enthusiasm, exchanging ideas and resource information and identifying research areas of mutual concern in an interactive presentation and participation format. Star speaker, Professor Robert Lawrence of Johns Hopkins University in Maryland, gave a global perspective on the urgent need for health research, demonstrating the successful application of research evidence in decreasing the infant mortality rate in developing countries. On our own continent we have problems with the very perception of health, he said, giving a dramatic example of survey results showing that preschool children recognized the "Joe Camel" figure from a tobacco company as readily as they did Disney characters. Dr. Lawrence praised the research results of participants in Swift Efficient Application of Research in Community Health Research (SEARCH) whose projects were showcased as part of the Congress. U of A's Faculty of Nursing representatives were so impressed with the SEARCH catalogue of completed projects that they have decided to include them in a fall teaching module as an example of successful community research. The Health Congress was also the kick-off for SEARCH II, again funded by AHFMR and organized in collaboration with Alberta Health, the 17 RHA's, the Provincial Mental Health Advisory Board, and the valuable contribution of the University of Alberta and the University of Calgary. For more information on the Health Congress, SEARCH and SEARCH II programs, please call Sharon Kalinka at (403) 423-5727. For more information on the AOF and other partnership programs for funding major research projects, please call Dr. Jacques Magnan at (403) 423-5727. |
Quick Reference of Contents:
Best Cartoon | Armies of the Blood | Breaking the Code
Fighting Bacteria Through Basic Research | Aiming at Cancer
Board of Review for AHFMR | Ask Jacques | Mending Broken Hearts
Measuring Health | Hope and Help for People with Fibromyalgia
AHFMR in the Community | SEARCH Profiles
