Vancouver (July 26, 2010) – Canadians will benefit from new insights into the link between physical activity and health as the Honourable Leona Aglukkaq, Minister of Health, today announced funding for four research teams through the Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR). These teams will study the effects of exercise on the body and its role in the prevention and treatment of chronic diseases including arthritis, breast cancer and heart disease.

“Our Government encourages Canadians to be physically active as part of a healthy lifestyle,” said Minister Aglukkaq. “Today’s investment in research will help develop new strategies for using exercise to prevent and treat major diseases affecting Canadians.”

The teams announced today will be led by the following researchers:

• Dr. John Esdaile (Arthritis Research Centre of Canada, Vancouver, BC) and his team will explore the link between physical activity and hip osteoarthritis.
• Dr. Kevin Shoemaker (University of Western Ontario, London, ON) and his team will investigate the effect of cardiovascular disease on the health of nerves that control muscle function and mobility.
• Dr. Kerry Courneya (University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB) and his team will study how physical activity and the fitness level affect the survival and long-term health of patients diagnosed with breast cancer.
• Dr. Ciaran Duffy (McGill University, Montreal, QC) and his team will examine the role of physical activity in improving the health and well-being of children with arthritis.

“We are very proud to be supporting these four talented teams,” said Dr. Jane Aubin, Scientific Director of the Canadian Institute of Health Research’s Institute of Musculoskeletal Health and Arthritis. “By supporting this research we will help improve the health and quality of life of Canadians and reduce the burden on Canada’s health care system.”

The teams were selected through a rigorous process of competitive, peer-review. They will each receive $2.5 million over five years for a total investment of $10 million.

Dr. John Esdaile, Scientific Director of the Arthritis Research Centre of Canada, spoke at the announcement about his team and the potential impact of its work. "We believe we can detect osteoarthritis of the hip much earlier than we have in the past," said Dr. Esdaile. "By catching it early, before it causes damage, we open the door to preventing hip osteoarthritis, which means we avoid costly surgery and greatly improve the quality of life of Canadians who experience hip pain."

For the past 10 years, the Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR) has supported better health and health care for Canadians. As the Government of Canada’s health research investment agency, CIHR enables the creation of evidence-based knowledge and its transformation into improved treatments, prevention and diagnoses, new products and services, and a stronger, patient-oriented health-care system. Composed of 13 internationally recognized Institutes, CIHR supports more than 13,000 health researchers and trainees across Canada.