Two Waterloo researchers receive national recognition for work on disease prevention

Wednesday, October 1, 2014

Two University of Waterloo researchers specializing in chronic disease prevention are newly appointed Applied Public Health Chairs, the Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR) announced. The prestigious positions, awarded only once every five years, include close to a million dollars each in funding for highly focused research programs of national relevance to public health.

Professors Scott Leatherdale and David Hammond, both of the Faculty of Applied Health Sciences and the School of Public Health and Health Systems at Waterloo, are recognized nationally as leading experts in developing and evaluating strategies for reducing the prevalence of chronic disease among the Canadian population. 

Professor Leatherdale, an expert in youth health and an advisor for provincial and national policy-makers, will use his award to further expand his project, COMPASS — the world’s largest and most comprehensive longitudinal study of youth focused on using programs and policies to reduce the future cancer burden in Canada.

The first study of its kind, COMPASS uses a systems science approach to guide evidence-based decision making in youth-focused policy and practice. Its goal is to change the major modifiable risk factors for cancer, including tobacco use, poor diet, alcohol use, physical inactivity and obesity.

“A key to improving the health of large segments of the population is in understanding the relationship between the environmental context in which people live and how it impacts their future disease risk,” said Professor Leatherdale.  “If we can change or adapt the environment to reduce the future risk of cancer and other related diseases such as diabetes and cardiovascular disease, the outcomes for Canada can be substantial.”

Professor Hammond will continue his work on obesity and tobacco use—two major health issues.

“The number of obese children and youth in Canada has tripled over the past 30 years and smoking rates remain at more than 4 million Canada,” said Professor Hammond. “Obesity is a leading cause of death and disease in this country, but it is a risk factor we can change.”

Professor Hammond specializes in nutrition policies and the efficacy of nutritional labelling, including ways to improve nutrition labels on food products and promote healthier diets. He works closely with policy-makers around the world to evaluate new laws and regulations, including with the World Health Organization’s first public health treaty.

He is also conducting a clinical trial on e-cigarettes as a cessation aid, as well as research to prevent youth uptake of e-cigarettes.  His work on the effects of plain packaging on smoking behaviour has helped shaped legislation in such countries as Australia, the UK and Ireland.

“Tobacco control has unparalleled potential to impact population-level health at the national and international scale,” said Professor Hammond.

Professors Hammond and Leatherdale join 12 other Applied Public Health Chairs across the country. CIHR and the Public Health Agency of Canada funded these two positions. 

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