Grant: Applied Chairs in Reproductive, Child & Youth Health Services & Policy Research

I propose to evaluate how several maternal characteristics -- her immigrant & ethnic status, social and marital stability, obesity, hypertension & diabetes -- affect a) her well-being in pregnancy, b) the risk to her fetus of stillbirth, birth defects, prematurity & abnormal birthweight and infant growth, and c) how these pregnancy & post-delivery factors affect the health of the mother & her newborn short-term (e.g., infant growth) & long-term (e.g., maternal heart disease and stroke). In the specific Research Proposal included in my Chair application, I focus on how newborn weight and infant growth differ according to maternal ethnicity and immigration status. I aim to evaluate the accuracy of the World Health Organization charts (currently used to plot infant growth) within the major ethnic groups in Canada. I have already shown that birthweight may be lower for newborns of South Asian and East Asian mothers. The results of the Research Proposal, and my overall body of work, will be patient-centered, policy-oriented & pragmatic. I have developed a working team of local and Canada-wide scientists, decision-makers and trainees to ensure that I achieve all objectives of the Chair, within proper timelines, for the betterment of mothers and infants across Canada, including new immigrants and ethnic minority groups. I have fantastic support from my university, a great environment to grow, and the time and space to bring forward another generation of maternal-child health researchers and health policy brokers.