School Health Research Network - Research and Activities

Project Objectives

To develop infrastructure in Atlantic Canada which advances school health research
To develop a program of research, knowledge translation and training in environmental diagnostics in the area of school health

Year 1 Activities:

Developed a multi-disciplinary team with members from PE, NB, NS, NL, ON, AB
Developed terms of reference for school health network
Hosted a workshop on applying the Better Practices Model to school health in December 2004. Workshop informatin can be found here.
Project information published in the CIHR Institute of Population and Public Health newsletter in February 2005: http://www.cihr-irsc.gc.ca/e/2717.html#4
Developed a comprehensive school health website: www.upei.ca/cshr

Year 2 Activities:

Submitted a manuscript for publication on applying the Better Practices Model to school health research
Hosted a pre-conference workshop on the role of coordinated school health databases at the ANPR forum in October 2005. Workshop notes can be found at: www.upei.ca/cshr/html/anpr_database_workshops.html
Began data collection from all of the school boards in Atlantic Canada on school health initiatives in their district. A report describing policies and programs in each province and in the Atlantic region will be prepared and distributed to all participating boards. Inventory information can be found at: http://www.upei.ca/cshr/html/asbpi.html
Prepared and submitted a proposal to secure funding to develop a multi-province project aimed at developing and refining interventions for junior-high schools around healthy eating, not smoking and promoting physical activity
Held meetings in NL and NS to discuss the status of school health research in each province and to further develop the network
Developed a Better Practices Model resource manual
Developed a project fact sheet which acts as a knowledge translation tool to those interested in learning more about the network
Continuously building national and international linkages

Year 3 Initiatives:

Continue to collect data on school health policies and programs in Atlantic Canada and prepare a report describing policies and programs in each Atlantic province and in the region based on results of the inventory
Continue to form strong networks across the Atlantic provinces by holding provincial meetings with researchers, school personnel and policy-makers in PEI and NB
Prepare a proposal to secure funding to develop a multi-province project aimed at developing and refining interventions for junior-high schools around healthy eating, not smoking and promoting physical activity
Produce and distribute the Better Practices Model resource manual as a hard copy document
Host data training workshop on SPSS in fall 2006
Continue to build regional, national and international linkages

Goals

Report on the status of prevention research and resources in schools in Atlantic Canada
Gather new knowledge, tools and processes for addressing health impacts for schools
Foster shared expertise among Atlantic provinces in school health research and policy planning and development
Acquire increased funding for school health research in the Atlantic region
Develop new and improved skills among researchers in school health database development
Assess school health intervention strategies and compare cross-regionally
Develop increased understanding about what change is needed in the area of school health research in the Atlantic provinces
Expand the capacity of schools to adopt and implement prevention strategies
Build research partnerships in the education systems in each of the Atlantic provinces to develop and promote better practices for school health