Grant: Patient-Oriented Research Collaboration Grants

Breathing is essential to life. Knowledge about respiratory health can help make split-second, life-saving decisions. Globally, one in five people suffer from respiratory problems; half of which do not follow their prescribed medical treatment. In Canada, respiratory diseases cost the economy 12 billion dollars annually. To ensure healthy (respiratory) lives for all by 2030, as agreed upon by 193 signatory states (United Nations 2015), new approaches are required to enable individuals and communities from across the globe to access and improve upon health knowledge and technologies for mutual benefit. As part of the "Breathing Games" commons, this project aims to fund five two-day events (game jams) where patients, clinicians, professionals, programmers, and other interested individuals, will co-create respiratory health games and devices. The events will include three keynotes speeches on how to make health innovation available to all; group discussions with children living with asthma, their relatives and clinicians; and clinical tests that evaluate the games and validity of the devices.