Ontario Health Study Launches Today in Peterborough
Written by admin, September 17, 2013
September 17, 2013 – 11,000 Local Residents Required to Sign Up to Make Peterborough Count!
Surrounded by scores of people at Fleming College today, Dr. Rosana Salvaterra, Medical Officer of Health of Peterborough Public Health announced the launch of the new Peterborough Counts: Ontario Health Study campaign to rally 11,000 residents to sign up with this world-leading health study.
“The Ontario Health Study is a massive effort to get as many residents as possible to complete an online health questionnaire at www.ontariohealthstudy.ca and help us create one of the largest health databanks in the world,” said Dr. Salvaterra who is leading the charge together with honorary co-chairs County Warden J. Murray Jones and Mayor Daryl Bennett. “It will help us answer all sorts of pressing health questions related to the causes of cancer, heart disease, Alzheimer’s, asthma, and many other chronic illnesses.”
“Our goal is to get 11,000 local adults to sign up so researchers can help us answer important local health questions as well,” explained Dr. Salvaterra. “For example, melanoma rates are higher in Peterborough City and County than the provincial average, but we don’t know why. The Ontario Health Study is key to helping us figure that out.”
It only takes approximately an hour to complete an online health questionnaire at www.ontariohealthstudy.ca, and it’s absolutely free. Participants will not be asked for any donations; however those between the ages of 35-69 may be invited to submit blood samples at the local Life Labs clinic at Alexander Court.
Once they’re signed up, participants are encouraged to get as many others as possible to fill out the questionnaire as well, especially through social media.
So far, more than 2,200 people already have joined, which means another 8,800 people are needed. The Public Health will release weekly totals for the next six weeks as part of this major recruitment drive to reach the 11,000 target.
This campaign is being organized and supported by a host of community partners, including Peterborough Regional Health Centre, Peterborough YMCA, Peterborough Chamber of Commerce, Fleming College, Trent University, Peterborough Family Health Teams, Peterborough Examiner, and the Peterborough and District United Way.
A number of media sponsors have also generously contributed in-kind advertising including as the Peterborough Examiner, CHEX TV, the Wolf and KRUZ FM, Country 105 and 99.7 Energy radio.
For more information about the Ontario Health Study and to sign up, please visit www.ontariohealthstudy.ca or visit www.facebook.com/peterboroughcountsontariohealthstudy for regular updates and current sign totals.
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For further information, please contact:
Brittany Cadence
Communications Supervisor
(705) 743-1000, ext. 391