Best Brains Exchanges 2013

Best Brains Exchanges are in-camera sessions. As a result, not all Best Brains Exchange topics and presenters are listed here. The following information is being shared with consent.

For more information on any of the past Best Brains Exchanges listed below please contact eot.dpv@cihr-irsc.gc.ca.

Sex and Gender-Based Analysis in Youth Suicide Prevention Policy

This Best Brains Exchange was meant to provide a better understanding of the influence of sex and gender on suicide trends and risk factors for youth in Canada; to raise awareness of the importance and benefits of including sex and gender-based analysis (SGBA) in the development, implementation and evaluation of suicide prevention interventions for youth and across the life spectrum; and to identify concrete policy approaches to youth suicide prevention that effectively incorporate SGBA.

Speakers:

  • John Oliffe - Associate Professor, University of British Columbia: How sex and gender influences access to care for youth at risk
  • Marlene Moretti - Professor / CIHR Senior Research Chair, Simon Fraser University: Building sex and gender-based analysis into suicide prevention policy and programming

Facilitator: Joy Johnson - Scientific Director, Institute of Gender and Health, Canadian Institutes of Health Research

How can Performance Measurement Support the Implementation of Integrated Care Models for Canadians with Chronic and Complex Conditions?

This Best Brains Exchange was designed to explore how performance measurement can support implementation, sustainability and ongoing improvement of integrated systems of care for Canadians with chronic or complex conditions; to understand approaches to performance measurement and evaluation that address issues unique to integrated systems of care; to identify models for seeking and incorporating person-centred and other stakeholder perspectives into performance measurement for integrated systems of care; and to support knowledge translation and uptake of the existing evidence and identify opportunities to support innovation in performance measurement for integrated systems of care.

Speakers:

  • Margaret MacAdam - Associate Professor (Adjunct), University of Toronto and President, The Age Advantage, Inc.: Canadian Progress, Approaches and Issues in Measurement and Evaluation
  • John Hirdes - Professor & Ontario Home Care Research and Knowledge Exchange Chair, School of Public Health and Health Systems, University of Waterloo: Approaches to Addressing Performance Measurement Challenges in Integrated Care
  • Nick Goodwin - Senior Fellow in Policy, The King’s Fund: Integrated Care: Approaches to Measuring Patient Experience and Outcomes
  • Neena Chappell - Canada Research Chair in Social Gerontology, Professor of Sociology and Centre on Aging, University of Victoria: Supporting Sustainability and Continuous Improvement in Integrated Systems of Care through Performance Measurement

Facilitator: Terry Sullivan, University of Toronto

Integrating Epigenetic Effects of Food and Environmental Contaminants into Risk Assessments

This Best Brains Exchange reviewed the current state of knowledge of epigenetic effects of chemicals in food and environment including: evidence from epidemiological studies and research models, and the applicability of the epigenetic research models to the human health situation to determine the extent to which the epigenetic mode of action is considered during regulatory decision-making; and to identify challenges including existing gaps in knowledge, methodology and data that currently prevent effective integration of the epigenetic mode of action in regulatory decision making and policy.

Speakers:

  • Young-In Kim - Professor of Medicine & Nutritional Sciences, Senior Scientist, Keenan Research Center, Li Ka Shing Knowledge Institute, Division of Gastroenterology, St. Michael’s Hospital: Role of early-life nutrition on long-term health risks
  • Sarah Kimmins - Canada Research Chair in Epigenetics, Reproduction and Development/ Associate Professor, McGill University: Environmental exposures and their effects on reproductive health
  • Igor Pogribny - Director, Epigenetic Laboratory, National Center for Toxicology Research, US FDA: Advantages of epigenetic approach for toxicity testing, safety assessment and prevention strategies
  • James Trosko - Professor, Pediatrics and Human Development, Food Safety, Michigan State University: Setting the stage: the development of "epigenetic toxicology" and its implications for human health

Facilitator: Eric Marcotte - Associate Director, Institute of Genetics, Canadian Institutes of Health Research

Primary Health Care Human Resources Policy Development

The CIHR Institutes of Health Services and Policy Research and of Population and Public Health in collaboration with the Public Health Agency of Canada and the Ministry of Health in China (through the Canadian Embassy in Beijing) co-hosted a Best Brains Exchange that provided opportunities for cross-jurisdictional learning and research that could benefit primary health care reform efforts in Canada and China. The best brains exchange was held in conjunction with the 2nd Canada-China Family Medicine Symposium.

Co-chairs:

  • Yang Hongwei, Assistant Director, National Development and Reform Commission (NDRC)
  • Nancy Edwards, Scientific Director, CIHR-IPPH
  • Robyn Tamblyn, Scientific Director, CIHR-IHSPR

Speakers:

  • Ms. Li Chunfang, Director, Office of the Leading Group for Deepening Health Care System Reform of the State Council, National Development and Reform Commission
  • Dr. Francine Lemire, CEO and Executive Director, College of Family Physicians of Canada
  • Dr. Ruth Wilson, Professor of Family Medicine, Queen’s University
  • Mr. Jin Shengguo, Director General, Department of S&T and Education, State Commission of Health and Family Planning                      
  • Prof. Du Xueping, Director, Yuetan Community Health Center
  • Dr. Lynn Wilson, Chair, Department of Family and Community Medicine, University of Toronto
  • Dr. Cynthia Whitehead, Professor, Department of Family and Community Medicine, University of Toronto
  • Dr. Francine Lemire, CEO and Executive Director, College of Family Physicians of Canada
  • Dr. Karen Tu, Scientist/Associate Professor, Department of Family and Community Medicine, University of Toronto
  • Dr. Zhang Guangpeng, Researcher, NDRC

Supplemental content (right column)