Centre for Urban Health Initiatives
Spotlight on Urban Health Seminar Series

**all seminars run from 1:15- 2:45
Free, all are welcome, please RSVP to [log in to unmask]

Thursday January 17, 2008

"Use of 911 Ambulance Dispatch Data for the Syndromic Surveillance of
Heat-Related Illness in Toronto: Summer 2007"

Kate Bassil and Dr. Donald Cole Public Health Sciences, University of
Toronto
CUHI 2004 & 2006 Seed Grant Recipient

Location: University College, University of Toronto, Room 177 (15 King's
College Circle)

Summary: The adverse effect of heat on health in urban communities is of
major concern, and will likely become even more important with climate
change. In Toronto, although a heat alert system based upon predicted excess
mortality exists, there is currently no method for monitoring heat-related
illness (HRI) in the community. As a result, there is a lack of information
regarding the impact of HRI on members of the community and the urban areas
that are most severely affected. Over the summer of 2007 our research group
monitored the temporal and spatial distribution of heat-related illness in
Toronto using 911 ambulance dispatch data. The findings of this work will be
presented as well as a discussion of the challenges in developing and using
this syndromic surveillance system in the public health environment.

Bio(s):

Kate Bassil is a PhD candidate in the Epidemiology program in the Department
of Public Health Sciences at the University of Toronto.  Prior to this Kate
completed a MSc in Epidemiology, also at the University of Toronto, and a
BSc Biological Sciences at Oxford University in 1998. The focus of her
doctoral research is the use of ambulance dispatch data to better understand
the temporal and geospatial distribution of heat-related illness in Toronto.

Donald Cole is a physician who practiced primary care, public health,
occupational health and environmental health in a variety of settings
globally. In a community medicine residency at McMaster University he
completed a Masters in Design, Measurement and Evaluation of Health Services
(1991), and went on to qualify as a Royal College fellow in Occupational
Medicine (1990) and Community Medicine (1992).  A Tri-Council Eco-Research
fellowship in environmental epidemiology and the role of Interim Director of
Research followed by Senior Scientist at the Institute for Work & Health
fostered his focus on research. His ongoing interest in agriculture and
human health questions led to his leading development of the Agriculture and
Human Health Division with the International Potato Center. As a tenured
Associate Professor of Public Health Sciences at the University of Toronto,
he currently teaches, mentors, does research, and contributes research
evidence to public health practice both in Canada and internationally. 

Upcoming Seminars/ Workshops:

Tuesday February 12, 2008
Cyndy Baskin, School of Social Work, Ryerson University 
CUHI 2006 Seed Grant Recipient
Presentation Title: "Which of the Following is NOT an Essential Service o
Roads o Schools o Food Access? Exploring Food Security with Young Aboriginal
Moms"
Location: Earth Sciences Centre, University of Toronto, Room 142, in the
basement (5 Bancroft Street)

Summary: This seminar will present findings from a research project
conducted with young Aboriginal mothers in Toronto using Aboriginal research
methodologies. The project explored issues affecting food security for these
mothers and their children with a focus on community involvement and policy
connections.

Bio: Dr. Cyndy Baskin, of the Mi'kmaq Nation, is an Associate Professor in
the School of Social Work and the Centre for Studies in Food Security at
Ryerson University. She worked at several Aboriginal social services
agencies within Toronto before coming to Ryerson in 2001. Cyndy's teaching,
research and writing focus on Aboriginal world views, research
methodologies, decolonization, and the strength, resilience and resistance
of Indigenous peoples globally.


Wednesday March 19, 2008
June Larkin, Institute for Women's Studies and Gender Studies & Susan Flynn,
Planned Parenthood
CUHI 2007 CBR Award of Merit Winners
Project: Toronto Teen Survey
Presentation Title: "The Toronto Teen Survey: Improving Sexual Health
Services for Diverse Toronto Youth"
Location: Bahen Centre, University of Toronto: Room 2130 (40 St. George
Street, immediately south of Russell Street)

Thursday April 17, 2008
Gala Arh, Centre for Addiction and Mental Health
CUHI 2006 Seed Grant Recipient
Project: "Mapping the Attributes of the Church & Wellesley Neighbourhoods
which Influence Tobacco Use among Lesbian, Bi-Sexual, Transgender People"
Presentation Title: TBA
Location: Bahen Centre, University of Toronto: Room B024 (40 St. George
Street, immediately south of Russell Street)


Alexis Kane Speer
Centre Coordinator
Centre for Urban Health Initiatives (CUHI)
University College, Room 259
University of Toronto
15 King's College Circle
Toronto, Ontario M5S 3H7
416-978-7223
FAX: 416-946-0669


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