Ottawa invests $1.2M in CLSA research projects

Researchers will use data from the Canadian Longitudinal Study on Aging to study how to support the healthy aging of Canadians

A trio of McGill-based projects focussing on health and aging are among those that will receive funding from the Government of Canada. Earlier today, the Honourable Ginette Petitpas Taylor, Minister of Health, and the Honourable Filomena Tassi, Minister of Seniors, announced funding of $1.2 million for 17 projects to be led by researchers across the country that will analyze baseline data from the Canadian Longitudinal Study on Aging (CLSA).

Using the CLSA platform, these researchers will seek to better understand various factors related to health and aging and create knowledge that will guide program and policy development to support healthy aging.

“We’re committed to helping Canadians be as healthy, active, and productive as possible throughout their lives,” said Minister Petitpas Taylor. “By investing in research, we’re seeking to improve the health of all Canadians – from newborns to seniors.”

The McGill studies include:

Estimating the impact of low back pain and osteoarthritis on functional ability and quality of life in aging Canadians using structural equation modelling
Principal Investigators: Sara Ahmed; Regina Visca; Owis J. Eilayyan
Research Institution: Research Institute of the McGill University Health Centre

Ethnic Differences and Geographical Variations in Osteoporosis and Fractures in the Canadian Population
Principal Investigator: Suzanne N. Morin
Research Institution: Research Institute of the McGill University Health Centre

A national investigation of the roles of genetics, social, emotional and environmental factors as determinants of nutrition and cardio-metabolic health among elderly adults in Canada
Principal Investigators: Daiva Nielsen; Laurette Dubé
Research Institution: McGill University

National research platform on health and aging

The CLSA is a large, national research platform on health and aging that allows researchers and decision-makers to answer critical questions on the biological, medical, psychological, social, lifestyle and economic aspects of aging, disability and disease.

The CLSA is following more than 50,000 men and women, who were between the ages of 45 and 85 at the time of recruitment, for 20 years. Through its large size, comprehensive data collection and long-term design, the CLSA will enable research on the factors supporting healthy aging.

“We supported the development of the Canadian Longitudinal Study on Aging with the vision of creating a national platform for research into health and aging,” said Dr. Yves Joanette, Scientific Director, CIHR Institute of Aging. “Now established, this platform provides a wealth of data relevant to all areas of health. We encourage researchers to discover how they can use CLSA data in their research programs.”

The CLSA is a major strategic initiative of the Canadian Institutes of Health Research. Funding for the platform has been provided by the Government of Canada through the Canadian Institutes of Health Research and the Canada Foundation for Innovation. Additional support has been provided by several provinces, affiliated universities and research institutions across Canada.

Researchers interested in accessing the CLSA data can apply online by visiting here