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Ontario Health Study (Ontario)

The Ontario Health Study (OHS) will be the biggest community-based health study ever done in Ontario, and one of the biggest in the world. The OHS is a long-term study that will help us understand the causes, prevention and treatment of diseases such as cancer, heart disease, asthma, and diabetes.

Studies like the OHS have led to important discoveries in the past. For example, they have taught us that smoking causes cancer and that diabetes can increase a person’s risk of heart disease. Many thousands of people have participated in previous population-based health studies. As a result, all Canadians have better health care today. Now you have a chance to make a difference for future generations in Ontario.

The Study began with an initial phase in which more than 8,000 adults living in three communities in Ontario took part. The main phase of the Study has begun, and is now open to all residents of Ontario who are at least 18 years old. We hope to follow participants in the Study for their entire lifespan. This will allow researchers to see how environment, lifestyle and genes affect the risk of common diseases.

The OHS is also part of the Canadian Partnership for Tomorrow Project made up of five regional health studies across the country.

Medical researchers at universities, research institutes and hospitals across Ontario are conducting this study. The governments of Ontario and Canada are funding the Study.

If you are at least 18 years old, regardless of whether or not you are in good health, we would like you to be part of the Ontario Health Study!

What Does the Study Involve?

Step 1: Getting Started

• Enrol and register;
• Review what is required of you and consent to participation;
• Complete the online questionnaire (this takes 20-30 minutes on average);

Step 2: Follow-up (optional)

• Each year, we may ask you to complete one or more brief online questionnaires, or to take part in additional studies related to the OHS that will collect information about factors that may affect your health such as your diet, physical activity, or your community.

Step 3: Visit an Assessment Centre (optional)

• You may be invited to come to an Assessment Centre for more extensive measurements (e.g., blood pressure, lung function, and blood sugar levels). You will also receive a detailed report that will give you a great window into your current health.

For more information visit https://ontariohealthstudy.ca/