Government of Canada continues to invest in research to address global health threat of antimicrobial resistance
FREDERICTON, March 16, 2018 /CNW/ - Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) occurs when bacteria, viruses, fungi, and parasites change so that drugs that were previously effective against them stop working. Left unchecked, the rise of AMR has the potential to undermine health care providers' ability to control infections such as pneumonia and tuberculosis and to provide medical procedures such as C-sections and chemotherapy.
Researchers can have the biggest impact if they are well connected and work together to tackle a health threat like AMR. To help make this a reality, the Honourable Ginette Petitpas Taylor, Minister of Health, today announced an investment of $300,000 to support three projects focused on improving our understanding of how key players in Canada and internationally can be better connected and work together collaboratively to tackle AMR.
This funding will support three research teams located at the University of New Brunswick, the Université de Sherbrooke, and the University of Ottawa.
For example, Dr. Suzanne Hindmarch, Dr. Malcolm King and their majority-Indigenous research team will consult with Indigenous organizations in Canada to learn about their perspectives on AMR. Dr. King and Dr. Hindmarch's team will examine the extent to which Indigenous organizations see AMR as a health challenge in their communities and how Indigenous organizations have, and would like to be, involved in the Canadian and international groups and networks that are working to address AMR.
Quotes
"Our government is proud to support the work done by our researchers. The contribution announced today will help us tackle antimicrobial resistance and will support Canadian researchers who will collaborate with international colleagues as part of the global response to AMR."
Ginette Petitpas Taylor
Minister of Health
"The investment announced today is critically important because it is putting some of Canada's brightest minds to work, in order to stimulate new scientific knowledge about AMR for the benefit of all Canadians. AMR is one of the biggest threats to global public health, food safety, and development today, and it is important to remember that anyone, of any age, in any country can be affected."
Dr. Steven Hoffman
Scientific Director, CIHR Institute of Population and Public Health
"Mitigating the impacts of antimicrobial resistance is one of my top priorities for protecting the health of Canadians. We must not underestimate the public health impact of AMR. This investment in global collaboration will advance research and innovation to help us avoid a future in which now treatable infections could once again be deadly."
Dr. Theresa Tam
Canada's Chief Public Health Officer
"UNB is proud to play a role in addressing this important health concern. This investment will help Dr. Hindmarch, Dr.King and their talented team of researchers expand the networks of understanding around antimicrobial research to include Indigenous perspectives and knowledge and help find solutions that will benefit all Canadians."
Dr. Eddy Campbell
President of the University of New Brunswick
Related Product
- Backgrounder
At the Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR) we know that research has the power to change lives. As Canada's health research investment agency, we collaborate with partners and researchers to support the discoveries and innovations that improve our health and strengthen our health care system.
Backgrounder
Antimicrobial Resistance Global Governance
In response to the increasing emergence of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) as a global health threat, in May 2017 the Canadian Institutes of Health Research's (CIHR) Institutes of Infection and Immunity and Population and Public Health launched a funding opportunity for research projects to help build closer ties between the networks of researchers who are addressing AMR and other health threats that transcend borders.
As a result of this funding opportunity, CIHR approved the following three projects, for a total investment of $300,000.
Researcher Institution Project Funding Amount
---------- ----------- ------- --------------
Ronald Labonté University of Ottawa Dr. Labonté's study aims to advance
Canadian research expertise through
the identification of research gaps
in global governance arrangements,
structures, and institutions
addressing AMR and related infectious
disease threats. It also intends to
develop an interdisciplinary Canadian
network of researchers, scholars, and
knowledge users in the global
governance of AMR. $100,000
---
Suzanne University of New Brunswick This project, led by a majority-
Hindmarch and Indigenous research team, will
Malcolm King consult with Indigenous organizations
in Canada to learn about their
perspectives on AMR. It will examine
the extent to which Indigenous
organizations see AMR as a health
challenge in their communities, and
how Indigenous organizations have,
and would like to be, involved in the
Canadian and international groups and
networks that are working to address
AMR. $100,000
---
Louis-Patrick Université de Sherbrooke This project aims to study the links
Haraoui between the emergence of AMR and
conflict settings. It will combine
approaches from the fields of
anthropology, medicine, law, and
public health to the case study of
multidrug-resistant Acinetobacter
baumannii (MDRAb), one of the three
most critical pathogens identified by
the World Health Organization for the
development of new antibiotics. $100,000
---
The overall goal of these projects is to encourage and support collaborations across the social sciences currently studying the arrangements, systems, and institutions working to prevent, detect, and manage AMR, so that Canada is more connected globally in the international fight against AMR. With such a foundation, lasting collaborations among researchers across all four CIHR pillars (biomedical, clinical, health system, population and public health) are expected to be built.
Related Product
- News Release
Thierry Bélair, Office of the Honourable Ginette Petitpas Taylor, Minister of Health, 613-957-0200; Media Relations, Canadian Institutes of Health Research, 613-941-4563, mediarelations@cihr-irsc.gc.ca; Hannah Classen, Communications Officer, University of New Brunswick, 506-443-3917
SOURCE Canadian Institutes of Health Research