Canadian Institutes of Health Research

With National Indigenous Peoples Day coming up on June 21, we’re highlighting a powerful story about rapid-response research that’s making a difference.

We spoke with Dr. Chelsea Gabel about Indigenous-led projects that are helping families and communities in Saskatchewan and Manitoba affected by the displacement and the emotional toll of last year’s devastating wildfires.

Funded by CIHR, the research projects are informing how we think about emergency preparedness and what health supports are needed in times of crisis. This research is crucial to ensuring Indigenous voices are heard and acted upon when we respond to emergencies.

Take two minutes to read the interview: https://cihr-irsc.gc.ca/e/54758.html?hsid=f40393e1-3d12-4bc6-9d0e-3474807ce276&utm_medium=facebook&utm_source=canadian%20institutes%20of%20health%20research

More than 250,000 Canadians currently live in long-term care homes—and that number is expected to increase sharply as the population ages.

At the same time, violence in long-term care settings is becoming an increasing concern for residents, families and care workers.

For four years, Dr. Rachel Herron and her team studied what triggers violence in long-term care homes—and what can help prevent it.

Their research points to promising approaches that could improve safety and quality of life for both residents and staff.

Learn more: https://cihr-irsc.gc.ca/e/54750.html?hsid=c3cafddb-3718-4b5a-8186-ec0ea4a13833&utm_medium=facebook&utm_source=canadian%20institutes%20of%20health%20research

Dr. Carolyn Emery with the assist for youth in sports!

Canada is a host country of the FIFA World Cup™, and soccer is one of our most popular sports. Yet one in three youth aged 10 to 24 get hurt playing sports every year.

Dr. Carolyn Emery is working to tackle high rates of injury in youth sports.

With funding from CIHR, Dr. Emery and the Sport Injury Prevention Research Centre team developed and evaluated a short neuromuscular training warm-up program to prevent common soccer injuries including knee and ankle joint injuries and hamstring strains: https://www.cihr-irsc.gc.ca/e/54578.html?filter=Emery&hsid=ec2a0a99-07d4-4456-a80f-acb31fbd3e3c&utm_medium=facebook&utm_source=canadian%20institutes%20of%20health%20research

Learn more: https://www.ucalgary.ca/shred-injuries/all-sports/soccer?hsid=ec2a0a99-07d4-4456-a80f-acb31fbd3e3c&utm_medium=facebook&utm_source=canadian%20institutes%20of%20health%20research

Strong public health systems are essential to preventing disease, promoting well-being, and reducing health inequities.

Today, the Government of Canada and partners, Fonds de recherche du Québec, Heart & Stroke and Michael Smith Health Research BC announced an investment of over $10 million through the Strengthening Resilient and Equitable Public Health Systems (STEPS) initiative to support 14 research teams across the country.

From strengthening emergency preparedness and responding to the opioid crisis to improving youth mental health services and advancing Indigenous-led approaches to health, these projects will generate evidence-informed solutions to build more resilient and equitable public health systems.

Learn more: https://www.canada.ca/en/institutes-health-research/news/2026/06/government-of-canada-and-partners-invest-over-10m-to-strengthen-public-health-systems-through-research.html?hsid=688b261f-8bd4-4b82-9e58-7fa6db80bdde&utm_medium=facebook&utm_source=canadian%20institutes%20of%20health%20research

AI is at the centre of a transforming technological world – changing how people live and work, how businesses compete, and how countries protect their sovereignty.

Today, to ensure that AI is adopted responsibly, in a way that truly serves all Canadians, Prime Minister Carney launched AI for All, Canada’s new National Artificial Intelligence Strategy.

Over the next five years, this strategy will introduce new legislation, investments, and programs to help build trust, expand opportunities, and reinforce control of Canada’s sovereignty.

Learn more: https://www.pm.gc.ca/en/news/news-releases/2026/06/04/prime-minister-carney-launches-ai-all-canadas-new-national-artificial

“I was waiting to make a right-hand turn and three or four kids on bicycles suddenly appeared. Was my failure to see these kids coming because of my dementia?”

Experiences like this are common for people living with dementia who are trying to understand when—and whether—to stop driving.

To support them, Drs. Mark Rapoport and Gary Naglie, together with partners like Ron Posno, who lives with Alzheimer’s disease, developed the Driving and Dementia Roadmap. This evidence-informed online resource helps people living with dementia, their caregivers, and their health care providers navigate driving decisions.

Learn more: https://cihr-irsc.gc.ca/e/54746.html?hsid=f856c7a8-3c03-4f3a-b24a-a74b0a716eec&utm_medium=facebook&utm_source=canadian%20institutes%20of%20health%20research
University of Toronto | Baycrest | Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre

Delegates gather for the 20th edition of CIHR’s Institute of Aging Summer Program in Aging.

For two decades, SPA has brought together research trainees to explore some of the most important topics in aging — from dementia and ageism to digital health, caregiving, workforce innovation and climate change.

CIHR is proud to support the future generation of researchers dedicated to improving the health and well-being of older adults.

Pride Season in Canada, a time to celebrate the resilience, achievements, and contributions of 2SLGBTQI+ communities. From coast to coast to coast, let's honour the diversity that strengthens our nation.

Historically, Pride gatherings emerged from the first large-scale protests for 2SLGBTQI+ rights. In Canada, the first demonstrations took place in Ottawa and Vancouver in 1971.

By 1973, Pride events were held in several Canadian cities, including Montréal, Ottawa, Saskatoon, Toronto, Vancouver and Winnipeg. Toronto's Pride weekend in June is now among the largest Pride events in North America.

Why a “season”?
Early Pride events were independently organized and not tied to a fixed date. Since most occur between June and September, it is called Pride Season.

Join us in celebrating. Learn more and access resources at https://www.canada.ca/en/women-gender-equality/pride-season.html

It’s National AccessAbility Week!

Learn about CIHR’s actions towards building a more accessible, inclusive, and barrier-free health research system:

Our new Accessibility Plan outlines CIHR's efforts to identify, remove, and prevent barriers in our policies, programs, practices, and services: https://cihr-irsc.gc.ca/e/54553.html?hsid=ceff835a-3db8-4ea4-b103-79dff7919469&utm_medium=facebook&utm_source=canadian%20institutes%20of%20health%20research

Our Anti-Ableism Action Plan aims to support members of the health research community with disabilities by building a culture that is safer and more inclusive: https://www.cihr-irsc.gc.ca/e/54121.html?hsid=ceff835a-3db8-4ea4-b103-79dff7919469&utm_medium=facebook&utm_source=canadian%20institutes%20of%20health%20research