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The 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]

Tuesday February 12, 2008

"Which of the Following is NOT an Essential Service - Roads - Schools - Food
Access? Exploring Food Security with Young Aboriginal Moms"

Cyndy Baskin, School of Social Work, Ryerson University 
CUHI 2006 Seed Grant Recipient

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.

Upcoming Seminars/ Workshops:

Wednesday March 19, 2008
"The Toronto Teen Survey: Improving Sexual Health Services for Diverse
Toronto Youth"

Crystal Layne (Toronto Teen Survey Project)
Susan Flynn (Planned Parenthood)
Dr. June Larkin (Women and Gender Studies Institute, U of T) & 
Kristin McIlroy (Student, Health Studies & Human Biology, U of T)
CUHI 2007 CBR Award of Merit Winners

Location: Bahen Centre, University of Toronto: Room 2130 (40 St. George
Street, immediately south of Russell Street)

In this presentation we discuss the development and results of the Toronto
Teen Survey (TTS) that was distributed to 1200 youth across Toronto. The aim
of the TTS Project was to gather information from youth on assets, gaps and
barriers that currently exist in sexual health education and services and to
use the information to develop a city-wide strategy to increase positive
sexual health outcomes for diverse Toronto youth.  We will describe the
community-based research design that involved teens in all stages of the
project and we will show a video that documents the process.  We will also
share feedback from youth service providers to whom we have presented the
data.

The TTS Project is a university-community partnership supported by
community-based research funding from the Ontario HIV Treatment Network.
Thursday April 17, 2008
"Focus Groups in Support of Public Health Interventions among Toronto LBGT
Smokers and Former Smokers"

Gala Arh & Nadia Minian, Ontario Tobacco Research Unit, Centre for Addiction
and Mental Health
CUHI 2006 Seed Grant Recipients

Location: Bahen Centre, University of Toronto: Room B024 (40 St. George
Street, immediately south of Russell Street)

Project Summary
While little is know about tobacco use among lesbian, bisexual, gay,
transgender (LBGT) populations, studies in the United States have found high
rates of smoking among LBGT individuals. Our pilot study sought to ascertain
attributes of the Toronto Church and Wellesley neighbourhood that facilitate
tobacco use among LBGT individuals. 
As a method of data collection, focus groups have yet to be recognized for
their nascent health promotion capacity. Using our example of focus groups
conducted with LBGT smokers and former smokers we illustrate how focus
groups can be used to translate and disseminate research findings, while
building stronger communities, and generating therapeutic support.

Bios
Gala Arh, M.Ed.
Having completed her M.Ed. at OISE/UT, Gala Arh joined the Ontario Tobacco
Research Unit as a Research Officer. She is developing, implementing and
evaluating the Performance Indicator Monitoring System as well as conducting
community-based research with the Evaluation Team

Nadia Minian is a Scientist with the Ontario Tobacco Research Unit. She has
considerable experience in conducting and directing research and evaluation
at the local and community levels on a variety of public health issues,
including infectious disease (HIV/AIDS), sexual risk behaviours and cancer
screening. At OTRU Nadia leads the evaluation of cessation programming and
policy. She is personally committed to social justice and conducting
evaluations to promote health.

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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