MONTREAL/April 10, 2008—
Concordia University is leading the Quebec research of a national study based out of the University of Calgary’s Rural Family Health Study group examining the impact of prion diseases on the health and well-being of Canadian ranchers and farmers. The group is currently recruiting Quebecers to participate in this nation-wide survey. Participants will be followed over a minimum of three years, with the goal of examining how the health of farm families and the surrounding communities adapt over time.
“There remains a need to understand the personal and community effects of dealing with bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE), commonly referred to as mad-cow disease, in order to form and evaluate programs and policies that promote the health of Canadian farm families and communities”, says sociologist Frances Shaver, Concordia professor and co-investigator for the Quebec region.
Despite the BSE crisis that hit in 2003, the health of rural communities and farmers has received relatively little attention compared to urban populations. While the economic impacts are often visible, the effects on the health and well-being of affected farmers and their families, as well as their coping strategies, are not well known. Some farms have adapted and thrived in response to BSE, while others have declared bankruptcy or sold out. A priority of the project is to return information to the communities and inform government policy makers of the status of farm families in the wake of BSE.
Members from farm, ranch and rural communities interested in participating can contact the National Research Coordinator, Madhu Sindhwani, by calling toll free at 1-877-422-4358 or emailing ruralfamilyhealth@ucalgary.ca, or Frances Shaver, the co-Investigator for the region of Quebec at 514-848-2424 ext. 2170 or shaver@alcor.concordia.ca.
For more information on the project, visit http://fchnet.ucalgary.ca/
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Source :
Tanya Churchmuch
Senior Media Relations Advisor
Concordia University
