Communities & Health Discussion Group
Purpose : The C&H Discussion Group meets on a monthly basis (as of September 2007) to discuss journal articles, discuss methodological and conceptual issues in community-level health promotion research, and write manuscripts for publication in scientific journals.
Core Members :
Dr. Lois Jackson (Lead, Communities & Health Research Unit)
Dr. Celeste Alvaro (C&H Discussion Group Lead, lead author on paper)
Dr. Sara Kirk
Dr. Tara Leigh McHugh
Dr. Jeannie Hughes
Andrea Chircop, Ph.D. Candidate
Dr. Renee Lyons
Dr. Donna Meagher-Stewart (withdrew April 2009)
Research Activities:
Writing
The C&H Discussion Group is currently writing a discussion paper which considers how key concepts within complexity theory and critical theory might help in understanding the lack of focus within governmental policy arenas on community-level and system level changes to address disparities in health, and in particular the obesity epidemic among lower income communities as a basis. The working title of this paper is ‘Government policies and a move to changing the obesogenic ‘environment': What can we learn from complexity theories and critical theories? The manuscript will be submitted to Health Promotion International in the summer of 2009.
Refworks Database
The C&H Discussion Group has created a shared Refworks Library Database. The C&H Refworks Library consists of peer-reviewed theory and research articles, books, and abstracts on complexity theory, critical theory, community level health promotion research, the use of theory in health promotion, and other related resources.
Meetings
A monthly meeting of the Communities & Health Discussion Group is held at AHPRC (September 2007 to April 2009).
Manuscripts in Preparation
Alvaro, C., Jackson, L., Kirk, S., McHugh, T.L., Chircop, A., Hughes, J., & Lyons , R. (in preparation). Government policies and a move to changing the obesogenic ‘environment': What can we learn from complexity theory and critical theory? For submission to Health Promotional International.
Guest Speakers
Sherwin, S*. (2008, December 1 st ). Presentation to the Communities & Health Discussion Group, Atlantic Health Promotion Research Centre, Dalhousie University , Halifax , NS .
*Susan Sherwin, Ph.D. is a Professor in the Department of Philosophy, Dalhousie University .
