Grant: Op Gr: Data Analysis Existing Databases - Environ n Health Signature Initiative

Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) is a progressive condition in which constant cough, secretions and shortness of breath negatively impact patients' quality of life. Although the main identified cause of COPD is cigarette smoking, other environmental factors may play a role in the development of the disease. Examples of these factors include air pollution, poverty, limited access to green spaces, poor diet and reduced physical activity. Individuals could be exposed to these factors over their entire lifetime, potentiating the risk to develop COPD. Unfortunately, we still know very little about the impact of these factors in COPD. With the growing urbanization and the increase in Canadian population, it is of high relevance to understand how these factors interact and lead to the development and progression of COPD. Our research project will leverage data from two studies: the Canadian Cohort of Obstructive Lung Disease (CanCOLD) and the Canadian Urban Environmental Health Research Consortium (CANUE). CanCOLD has recruited over 1500 participants across Canada, including healthy individuals, smokers and COPD subjects, and followed them over time. CanCOLD data includes detailed questionnaires on participants' environment, social context, lifestyle and health status. Additionally, participants undergo a series of tests to assess their lung function. CANUE is a nation-wide initiative that regroups a vast range of environmental measurements, including poverty index, air pollution, green spaces and weather changes. These measurements are available for every postal code in Canada. For the proposed research, we will link CanCOLD and CANUE data to determine how factors present in the environment can influence the development and progression of COPD. Information from our research will help clinical guideline development, public health strategies targeting high-risk groups and decision makers to develop new policies to create healthier environments to prevent COPD.