The Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR) named Professor Eva Grunfeld as the inaugural Chair of the new Institutes Advisory Board (IAB) on Chronic Conditions. In her role, Grunfeld, Giblon Professor and Vice Chair (Research) at the Department of Family and Community Medicine at U of T, will help determine the future directions of research in chronic disease in Canada.

The management and prevention of chronic diseases in Canada represents one of the biggest challenges to our healthcare system

“It’s a great opportunity to contribute to the development of the new IAB structure – the aim of which is to improve integration across CIHR Institutes,” said Grunfeld, who is physician-scientist and Director of the Knowledge Translation Research Network, Health Services Research Program, at the Ontario Institute for Cancer Research. “Particularly with chronic conditions, it’s important to coordinate and cooperate across disciplines, across health conditions, and across research pillars. I’m looking forward to working with the other IAB chairs, IAB and members, and Institute Directors to impact research on chronic conditions in Canada.”

Grunfeld is a leader in cancer health services and outcomes research. Her research focuses on evaluation and knowledge translation of cancer health services, covering the entire spectrum of cancer activities. She is recognized internationally for her research on integration of care and on cancer outcomes, which has influenced clinical practice guidelines and policies internationally.

The management and prevention of chronic diseases in Canada represents one of the biggest challenges to our healthcare system. In Canada, deaths due to chronic diseases, such as cancer, heart disease, stroke and diabetes, are rising. Three out of five Canadians over the age of 20 have a chronic condition and more children are now being affected by chronic conditions previously only seen in adults.

Previously each of CIHR’s 13 Institutes – which guide research on specific health areas in Canada – were guided by its own Institute-specific IAB. By replacing them with five broader-based IABs that will advise to all 13 Institutes, each Institute will be provided with a wider scope of expertise, that will help to better identify opportunities for collaboration and enhance coherence across CIHR’s many initiatives.

Three out of five Canadians over the age of 20 have a chronic condition and more children are now being affected by chronic conditions…

Besides Chronic Conditions, the other new IABs include Research Excellence, Policy and Ethics, Health Innovation, Indigenous Peoples’ Health, and Health Promotion and Prevention. The chairs of each will provide strategic advice on approaches and directions for each Institute individually and CIHR collectively to direct healthcare research in Canada.

“With these appointments, we are fostering a spirit of collaboration and evidence-based practice among Institutes,” said CIHR President Dr. Alain Beaudet. “By having access to a broad scope of advice, the Institutes will be in a unique position to respond to the major, cross-cutting health opportunities and challenges facing Canada today and in the future.”

For more information see: Backgrounder: CIHR announces chairs of new Institutes Advisory Boards

This story was contributed by the Department of Family and Community Medicine at the University of Toronto.