Grant: Foundation Grant

<html> <body> <p> <strong>Overview:</strong> The next generation will face one of the greatest health challenges in our time&mdash;the growing burden of obesity-related diseases. The ongoing rise in obesity has spawned an intense search for population-level solutions to reverse these trends. One solution that is gaining considerable traction is to design or redesign the <em>built environment</em> (BE) in which we live to promote active, healthy living.</p> <p> <strong>Objectives:</strong> To advance our understanding of how different aspects of the BE (alone or in combination) can be better designed or modified to promote health, by studying:</p> <ol> <li>BE effects on obesity-related conditions (e.g. diabetes, cardiovascular disease)</li> <li>BE effects on risk factors for obesity (e.g. physical activity, diet); and</li> <li>The impact of BE policy interventions on future health outcomes (e.g. number of diabetes cases averted) and costs (e.g. dollars saved).</li> </ol> <p> <strong>Research Approach:</strong> <br>A major aim of this research is to study combined BE effects to understand the incremental health benefits and costs of targeting multiple aspects of the BE simultaneously (e.g. walkability and access to public transit; physical activity and food environments). Building on our past innovations, we will conduct a series of thematically-linked research projects using 3 approaches:</p> <ol> <li> <strong>Secondary analysis of administrative health data</strong> to study BE effects on major health outcomes in whole populations;</li> <li> <strong>Primary data analysis</strong> to study BE effects on health-related behaviours (travel and dietary choices) and obesity; and</li> <li> <strong>Prediction models</strong> to estimate and compare the impact of different BE policy scenarios on future health outcomes and costs.</li> </ol> <p>Throughout, we will employ a collaborative, dynamic and integrated KT approach to ensure the<br>program outputs are policy-relevant and readily translated into action.</p> <p> <strong>Expertise:</strong> To accomplish an interdisciplinary research program of this scope, I have assembled a diverse team of program experts with expertise in epidemiology, geography, urban planning, population health, biostatistics, economics, environmental studies, social sciences, and policy evaluation. Their collective expertise will ensure this research program produces high-quality rigorous research.</p> <p> <strong>Mentorship and Training:</strong> Our program will offer a high-calibre, interdisciplinary approach to training and mentoring that capitalizes on our team&rsquo;s breadth of expertise, unparalleled access to data, partnerships with policy leaders, and established programs within the University of Toronto&rsquo;s Dalla Lana School of Public Health and Graduate Program in Planning.&nbsp;</p> <p> <strong>Supportive Environment:</strong> This research will be undertaken at leading research institutes&mdash;the Li Ka Shing Knowledge Institute of St. Michael&rsquo;s Hospital and the Institute for Clinical Evaluative Sciences (ICES), and key academic units at the University of Toronto; which, together, will offer an outstanding environment to support the research, training and KT activities proposed in this application.</p> <p> <strong>Significance:</strong> With more than 80% of the Canadian population now living in urban areas, healthy urban design has tremendous potential to improve population health. This applied research program will identify cross-sectoral policy solutions to stem the tide of obesity through healthy community design. By leveraging our existing collaborations and emerging partnerships, we will expand our research and KT network nationally to ensure that our findings are translated into policy and planning initiatives across Canada.</p> </body> </html>