In the News
‘Always give back’: trainee develops research opportunities for youth amidst doctoral studies
By Alisa Kim As an undergrad studying kinesiology, Troy Francis thought he might become a physiotherapist or a chiropractor. As he continued his studies, however, Francis, currently a PhD student in the Health Services Research program at IHPME, was drawn to a big-picture view of the health system. His...
Dean’s Statement—2022 Black History/Black Futures Month
Dear DLSPH Community, Today is the beginning of Black History/Black Futures Month. I’d like to share some events that our School is hosting to celebrate Black excellence and some thoughts about what this time means to me, as a public health academic. On Feb. 3 at 6:30 pm, I hope...
Shelly Bolotin to Head Centre for Vaccine Preventable Diseases
By Heidi Singer Shelly Bolotin has been fascinated by infectious disease all her life – first the biology of it, and then the profound way social, economic and other human factors drive its spread. “Viruses are smarter than we are -- that blows my mind,” says DLSPH’s Associate Professor of...
Statement on International Holocaust Remembrance Day
Dear DLSPH Community, Today is International Holocaust Remembrance Day -- a chance to remember and learn from the Shoah. The conditions that gave rise to Nazism share much with genocides across the world and throughout history. We typically explain them by pointing to factors like political upheaval, extremist ideology and...
Dr. Julia O’Sullivan partners with First Nations communities across Canada to strengthen early childhood literacy
By Alisa Kim The window of opportunity for literacy is narrow, closing for most by the age of 10 years. Early literacy is not only critical for academic success but confers socioeconomic benefits. “If you can’t read and write well by the time you go to grade four, you...
A vision realized: trainee leads pilot project to deliver eye care to Indigenous children in Toronto
By Alisa Kim, IHPME A study by the Canadian National Institute for the Blind found one-third of Indigenous Canadians have not had an eye exam within the last two years. Moreover, research has shown Indigenous children experience high levels of astigmatism, an irregularity in the shape of the cornea...
Outreach and Access Program Expands to Runnymede and Westview Centennial High Schools
by Françoise Makanda, DLSPH DLSPH’s Outreach and Access Program continues to have an impact on more Toronto high schools. It completed its first semester at Westview Centennial. “It feels great that the program continues to expand and that we’re continuing to develop relationships and reaching more schools, more students, and...
A Blueprint for Black Food Sovereignty in Toronto
By Heidi Singer DLSPH faculty helped make history last month with the launch of North America’s first Black Food Sovereignty Program – an attempt to address food insecurity by creating a Black-run food pipeline from field to table. The Toronto Black Food Sovereignty Plan, the result of a unique partnership between...
DLSPH Open: Welcome to the Winter Term!
Dear DLSPH Community, Welcome back to our School! I hope everyone had a restorative break, and I wish you and your loved ones a safe, healthy 2022 Winter Term. While we can’t be together in person, I take great comfort reminding myself that this wave will pass – hopefully soon—and...
Cannabis Research Blocked by Policy Hinders Public Health
by Françoise Makanda at The Dalla Lana School of Public Health Are edibles better than vaping cannabis? Is vaping cannabis better than smoking marijuana? Even the experts don't know—yet. Since the legalization of cannabis in Canada, researchers have been very focused on these questions. “You need full documentation on each...