The Population and Community Health Unit (PCHU) is a research organization that is associated with the Department of Family Medicine at the University of Western Ontario. Our purpose is to engage in epidemiological, analytical, and evaluative research, and health related data collection. We focus on a population health approach with a special interest in the communities of London and Southwestern Ontario, Canada, using prevention and health

Functions of the Unit

Service: Provides response, where possible, on various health-related issues identified by stakeholders and public.

Information: Gather and be aware of local health-related population data and resources.

Research: Conduct literature reviews, meta-analyses, secondary data analyses, original and program evaluations on population health issues.

Education: Provide information obtained for use in specialized education curricula.

Network: Provide the opportunities and forums for various health-related stakeholders to collaborate on issues related to education, programs and research.

Why Population & Community Health?

Challenges move beyond individual-focused "to change behaviour".

Must also tackle social, cultural, environmental, economic factors locally, nationally and internationally.

Must build teams and be multidisciplinary

Why?

Most major population-based problems transcend disciplinary boundaries.

Most major problems are complex.

Therefore, we must bring the disciplines to the problem, not the problem to the disciplines.

Research is not an end in itself, but a means to enhance the health and well-being of our community.

The Community Is Our Laboratory

I. Identification of Strengths & Problem(s), Community Health Indicators

eg. Health and Well-being in Southwestern Ontario: A Resource for Planning. (1996)

Alder, Vingilis &; Mai

Special Populations

Consortium on Applied Research & Evaluation in Mental Health - CAREMH

Person with serious mental illness

Alcohol, drugs, driving, and youth

 

II. Causation of Problem(s)

Health determinants and interactions

Community Health Knowledge, Knowledge Diffusion / Utilization

• Poor understanding of community health = Poor prognosis for community mobilization
• Economic Indicators and Their Relationship to Health Care Utilization

Special Populations

• e.g. Youth health and well-being - prime determinants of self-concepts of health and well-being
• Adolescent Self-rated Health & Health Care Utilization
• Development of a Knowledge Diffusion and Utilization Model for Social and Health Programs
• Testing a Framework for Comprehensive Evaluation of Outcomes for Clients in Community Mental Health Services
• Creating Interprofessional Collaborative Teams for Comprehensive Mental Health Services
• Motor Vehicle Injuries: Predictors and Consequences. Phase II

 

 

III. Solutions to Problem(s)

Health Policy / Program Formulation, Implementation & Evaluation

Community Health Education

• Ministry of Health of Ontario's Cold and Flu Public Education Project

Special Populations

• Consortium on Applied Research & Evaluation in Mental Health - CAREMH
• Evaluation of Healthy Mothers - Healthy Babies program for at-risk pregnant women (SmartStart)
• Evaluation of Integrating Physicians In The Home (IPSITH)
• Home Health Service Delivery Model

Injury Prevention and Control

• Evaluation of Health/Safety Impact of Extended Drinking Hours in Ontario
• Health and Safety Impact of Administrative License Suspension (ALS) laws
• Impact of globalization on transportation safety
• Medicinal drugs and impaired driving
• Member of NCE Auto 21: Anti-Social Behaviour and the Automobile