Canada launches one of world's largest population health studies to gain insight into disease prevention and management

The largest population-based health study ever conducted in North America was launched this past month in an effort to help better understand the causes, prevention and treatment of diseases such as cancer, heart disease, asthma, and diabetes.

The Ontario Health Study (OHS) will be the biggest community-based health study ever done in Ontario and is also part of the Canadian Partnership for Tomorrow Project, made up of five regional health studies across the country.
Medical researchers at universities, research institutes and hospitals across Ontario are conducting this study. The governments of Ontario and Canada are funding the Study.

The Study began with an initial phase in which more than 8,000 adults living in three communities in Ontario took part. The main phase of the Study has begun, and is now open to all residents of Ontario who are at least 18 years old.

Altogether, aggregate data from hundreds of thousands of Canadians over time will help build one of the world's largest profiles of risk factors for diseases.