The Canadian Institutes of Health Research and Alberta Health have announced funding for research on the health effects of the wildfires which impacted much of Northern Alberta this year. The grant will fund research that looks at the mental and physical health challenges Albertans are facing due to wildfires and evacuations. This research will then be used to create better mitigation strategies in the future.

Suggested research proposals include:

• Disaster health service strategies
• Sex and gender-specific resiliency and effects of the wildfires
• Health and wellness needs of Indigenous communities living in fire areas

Firelight works with many communities in Northern Alberta and BC who were heavily impacted by this summer’s wildfires. This grant represents an opportunity for communities to see their own concerns are included as the Alberta government better assesses how to respond to the short and long-term health effects of wildfires.

The deadline to apply is September 20th, 2016 with funding beginning on the 1st of October, 2016. More information on how to apply can be found here.

Firelight provides social, economic and health research, amongst other research services for Indigenous and local communities. 

For further information, contact:

Diana Gibson, Socio-Economic Team Lead

Karen Fediuk, Senior Health and Traditional Diet Specialist