Health and Wellness Blog

Here is your chance to participate in a study that aims to understand the 'complex web of factors' that increase the risk of chronic diseases. Researchers at the The Ontario Health Study (OHS) are trying to learn more about the causes of chronic diseases such as cancer, heart disease, diabetes, Alzheimer's and asthma and find ways to prevent them. This study is shaping up to be the largest community-based health study ever done in Ontario, and one of the biggest in the world. Everybody in Ontario over the age of 18 – healthy or sick – is invited to fill out a questionnaire about their medical history, lifestyle and diet at ontariohealthstudy.com. Eventually, it will involve millions of people and track them for the rest of their lives.

Sounds daunting? Indeed, getting everyone on board is daunting but participating in the survey is not. It takes less than 20 minutes to complete the initial questionnaire which may change the course of your health and that of future generations. Past studies like the Framingham study have pioneered medical discoveries among them linking cigarette smoke to an increased risk of heart disease. 

Participation in the study is voluntary and there are potentially 9.5 million eligible people in Ontario. Those who fill out the initial online questionnaire may be asked annually to complete one or more brief online questionnaires. About 100,000 of those who sign up for the study may be asked to come to an Assessment Centre for more extensive testing and will receive a detailed snapshot of their current health status.

The OH study is being funded by the Ontario Institute for Cancer Research, Cancer Care Ontario, The Ontario Agency of Health Protection and Promotion and the Canadian Partnership Against Cancer.

For more information check out the list of Frequently Asked Questions or click right here to join the study.