Fact Sheet
[ Press Release 2012-35 ]Investing in research
The Harper Government is investing $7 million to support three bone health research teams through the Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR).
| Principal Investigator | Project Title | CIHR Funding (over 5 years) |
|---|---|---|
| Dr. Joy MacDermid McMaster University |
Evidence-based fracture management supports to optimize fracture recovery, future bone health and optimal physical activity after distal radius fracture. | $2,461,199 |
| Dr. Michael Glogauer University of Toronto |
Identifying Novel Markers of Alveolar Bone loss: Developing New Diagnostic Approaches for the Most Prevalent Forms of Bone Loss. | $2,077,551 |
| Dr. Robert Young Simon Fraser University |
New Mechanisms, Therapeutic Targets and Technologies for Bone Health. | $2,500,000 |
| Total | $7,038,750 |
The teams were funded through a peer-reviewed research funding competition led by the CIHR Institute of Musculoskeletal Health and Arthritis. The competition responded to research priorities identified at a Bone Health Consensus Conference, convened with stakeholders in 2009.
Importance of bone health
- Human bones are constantly being broken down and reformed in a process called remodelling. Men and women reach peak bone mass in their mid-thirties.
- Aging or certain diseases can interfere with the remodelling process, weakening bones and increasing the risk of fractures.
- Osteoporosis is a common disorder that causes thinning of the bones and leads to fractures most commonly in the wrist, hip and spine. Osteoporosis affects 1.5 million Canadians over 40.
- In periodontal or gum disease, bacteria attack the soft tissues and bone that support the teeth, causing bone loss and eventually to the loss of teeth.