Ontario Health Study
Introduction
What we do
Why we do it
How we do it
Ontario Health Study Summary
Inquiries
With 225,000 participants, the Ontario Health Study (OHS) is a rich resource for researchers investigating cancer and other chronic diseases. Researchers can now apply for access to de-identified data and biospecimens collected by the Study. Through the collection of health data and information through online questionnaires, physical measures and biosamples, the OHS is a rich resource for researchers to investigate how genetics, lifestyle and environment impact health.
Participants completed a nationally harmonized baseline questionnaire collecting variables including social and economic demographics, personal and family health histories, medications, sleep patterns, alcohol and tobacco use, physical activity and environmental exposures. Regular follow-up questionnaires will be conducted to track changes in health. Almost all participants can be linked with their administrative data such as the Ontario Cancer Registry.
Non-fasting blood samples were collected from more than 41,000 participants. A subset of this group, approximately 12,600 and 13,400 participants respectively, provided urine samples and physical measures.
The OHS is one of six participating cohorts of the Canadian Partnership for Tomorrow’s Health (CanPath), alongside the B.C. Generations Project, the Alberta Tomorrow Project, the Manitoba Tomorrow Project, CARTaGENE in Quebec and the Atlantic PATH. CanPath is studying the biology, behaviours and environments of Canadians to learn more about the causes of chronic disease and cancer for a healthier Canada and world. To date, CanPath has collected data from over 330,000 Canadians. CanPath’s data and biosamples are available to researchers through the CanPath Portal.
Researchers can now apply to access Ontario Health Study data and biosamples to find ways to better treat and prevent cancer and chronic disease.
Opportunities to Collaborate
Please visit OICR’s Collaborative Research Resources directory for more opportunities to collaborate.
Looking Ahead
Receive the latest news, event invites, funding opportunities and more from the Ontario Institute for Cancer Research.