Ontario Health Study Centre Opens for Round Two in Peterborough
Written by admin, September 14, 2015
September 14, 2015 – Public Health Encourages Residents to Participate to Improve Our Knowledge of Local Population Health Status
Today the Ontario Health Study opened its second Peterborough Study Centre in two years at the Lion’s Community Centre to take blood samples from September 14-18.
“So far more than 90 residents have signed up, and we’re hoping to attract twice that amount to the Study Centre so the local data pool is as robust as possible,” said Brittany Cadence, Communications Supervisor at Peterborough Public Health. “The Ontario Health Study is producing solid research that will greatly improve our understanding of local health trends if we can recruit enough participants. The Public Health is keen to repeat the high turnout levels we saw last year when the OHS came to Peterborough.”
Peterborough area residents aged 35-69 years are encouraged to visit the OHS’s Peterborough Study Centre to complete a short questionnaire and provide a blood sample, which will enable researchers to better understand what affects health and quality of life. This may help improve the prevention and diagnosis of chronic diseases such as cancer, diabetes and heart disease. A visit to the Ontario Health Study Centre may also allow participants to learn something new about their health. Following their visit each participant receives a comprehensive blood analysis report of where their personal health falls within the reference range.
“The OHS is unique because it is following a large cohort of adults over a long period of time,” said Dr. Rosana Salvaterra, Medical Officer of Health. “This means it able to identify risks as well as protective factors for chronic diseases, including cancer.”
The Ontario Health Study Centre will run from Monday, September 14 to Thursday, September 17 at the Peterborough Lions Community Centre located in East City on 347 Burnham Street. Flexible appointment times are available during the day and in the evening. If you are aged 35 to 69 please register for an appointment. To do so, or for more information about the Ontario Health Study call 1-866-606-0686 or visit www.ontariohealthstudy.ca/peterborough .
Getting involved in the OHS is a simple, straightforward process. New participants just need to go to www.ontariohealthstudy.ca/Peterborough, register and then take the survey, which takes about an hour. The OHS follows strict privacy practices that govern how personal information is collected, who can see it and how it can be used.
In order to donate a blood sample you must first have filled out the OHS survey. In order to register, or learn about the survey please visit ontariohealthstudy.ca.
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For further information, please contact:
Brittany Cadence
Communications Supervisor
705-743-1000, ext. 391