Health emergencies such as COVID-19 pose a global risk and have shown the critical need for preparedness
From world-leading vaccine research to the investigation of the social, cultural and environmental determinants of health and wellness, Dalhousie’s approach to health research is grounded in an understanding that the health of individuals, communities and populations are interconnected and interdependent.
Discover how our work in these key areas is improving health and well-being
High-impact research
DalSolutions: Breakthrough in heart treatment best practice sparks global rethink
Thousands of Canadians are saved each year by a device inserted in the body that zaps the heart back on track when it’s threatened by dangerous rhythms. But the side effect is pain and trauma. Read the Dal News story about a Dalhousie researcher who has determined the most effective way to limit the shocks, prompting a re-evaluation of heart treatment worldwide.
Mental health intervention program can help prevent substance‑use disorders in teens, study shows
Researchers at Dalhousie and the University of Montreal have found that brief cognitive behavioural interventions that help young people manage such things as impulsivity, sensation seeking, sensitivity to anxiety and negative thinking can reduce teen substance use disorders. Read the Dal News story about the findings that show when such interventions are delivered to students in Grade 7, they are associated with reduced risk for substance use disorders by Grade 11.
New family of antibiotics could treat multidrug‑resistant bacterial 'super bugs'
Every year, more than five million people die due to bacterial infections, a concern the World Health Organization has identified as one of the three greatest threats to human health. Researchers at Dalhousie and the University of Toronto, are addressing that threat head-on with the development of a new family of antibiotics. Read the Dal News story about this research into treating potentially lethal multidrug-resistant bacteria.
Strength in motion: The healing power of exercise in cancer treatment
The field of exercise oncology is showing benefits including reduced disease and treatment-related side effects like depression, anxiety, muscle weakness and cancer-related pain, as well as a reduced risk of disease recurrence and cancer mortality. Read the Dal News story about how the effectiveness-implementation trial, called Activating Cancer Communities through an Exercise Strategy for Survivors (ACCESS) is improving supportive cancer care in Nova Scotia.
Kicking a sleeping pill habit possible for seniors with a simple intervention, study shows
Participants safely stopped using sleeping pills even though many had been taking them for years and discovered that getting a better night's sleep is something many people can learn to do on their own. Read the Dal News story about the study, which mailed information packages directly to seniors' homes.
Channeling the power of natural killer cells to beat cancer
Pancreatic cancer is one of the most difficult cancers to treat successfully, and one of the chief targets of the natural killer cell research Dr. Boudreau and her graduate students and post-doctoral fellows pursue. Read the Dal News story about how Natural Killer (NK) cells cells can kill pancreatic cancer tumours.
Harnessing the power of viruses to kill cancers
Dalhousie's Dr. Shashi Gujar, along with pioneers at the Centre de Recherche des Cordeliers in Paris and the University of Ottawa, has just released a paper in the journal, Nature Protocols, that provides standardized guidance on oncolytic virus design, production, and testing in cancer immunotherapy, a treatment that helps the body's immune system fight cancer. Read the Dal News story about this next step in the development and use of viruses to fight cancer.
Back pain impacts many. A new Dal‑developed tool offers promise of relief to those who need it most
Dalhousie resarchers have developed a sleek, high-resolution probe that can travel to the site of the spinal compression and provide a clear view of the surgical area before and after the procedure is done to make sure the nerve has been decompressed. Read the Dal News story about the potential for this imaging probe.
Exceptional student experience
Redefining ableism in health care: Dal learners receive Curriculum Innovation Award for new resource
The e-book, “Am I Ableist? Disability Awareness in Healthcare,” developed by students in the final three years of their medical school training, has been viewed by more than 15,500 people and has been integrated into medicine and allied health curriculums across North America. Read the Dal News story about how the book helps students understand their views on disability.
Bucking the national trend: More Dal med grads opting for careers in family medicine
Half of the graduating class will begin their residency training in family medicine this summer, marking a significant increase since 2018 when only 25 per cent of the class chose to enter a career path in family medicine. Read the Dal News story about how Dal is advancing family medicine education and recognizing family medicine as a specialty of choice.
Dal launching Atlantic Canada’s first Master of Nursing program in mental health and addictions
Registered nurses looking to gain advanced skills and education in mental health and addictions care now have the opportunity to do so in Nova Scotia through a new Dalhousie program. Read the Dal News story about the new program.
Looking to bring a little wellness into your life? Dal’s got you covered
Dal’s 2023-2024 Group Wellness Sessions are divided into four different categories — mental health, professional development, book clubs, and holistic well-being — each of which offers its own unique lens on staying healthy. Read the Dal News story about the wellness sessions.
Dalhousie set to launch new physician assistant training program for Nova Scotia
The first of its kind in the Maritime provinces and only the fourth in the country, the Master of Physician Assistant Studies (MPAS) program will provide graduates with the competencies needed to provide compassionate, evidence-based care and significantly contribute to interprofessional health-care teams. Read the Dal News story about the new training program.
Medical school curriculum refresh prepares students to meet ever‑changing healthcare needs
The new changes were motivated by the changing realities of the world and the practice of medicine in Canada, and others by the Medical School’s responsibility to better address equity, diversity and inclusivity in the education of physicians, as well as the care of patients. Read the curriculum refresh story in Faculty of Medicine News.
Dal medical students give back in the spirit of social accountability and community engagement
The Community-Engaged Service Learning Program at Dalhousie Medical School is creating opportunities for students to partner with not-for-profit groups serving communities that may have limited access and experience with health care. Read the Dal News story on community-engaged learning.
Civic university with global impact
New Dalhousie collaboration supports Indigenous mental health
The Indigenous community in Halifax will have more access to culturally-safe mental health care thanks to a collaboration between the Mi’kmaw Native Friendship Society – Wije’winen Health Centre and the Department of Psychiatry at Dalhousie University and Nova Scotia Health Central Zone. Read the Dal News story about this agreement, which will provide access to dedicated psychiatric resources for the urban Indigenous community.
One in five kids endure chronic pain. A new pain standard will soothe it.
Dalhousie’s Solutions for Kids in Pain (SKIP) are working with hospitals to adopt Canada’s first Pediatric Pain Management Standard. Read the Dal News story about how the standard will give institutions tools and support to prevent and treat the chronic pain one in five Canadian children endure.
Dal researchers help tackle high epilepsy rates in remote Zambia
Researchers are leading an initiative in rural Zambia to combat the high prevalence of epilepsy and reduce the stigma that deeply affects individuals living with the condition. Read the Dal News story about how Dal researchers have joined forces with Zambian health-care professionals to create the Mfuwe Epilepsy Foundation, with a focus on improving epilepsy care in rural Zambia where health infrastructure is limited.
Dal Solutions: Dalhousie study helps give Nova Scotia pharmacists the power to directly prescribe HIV prevention drug
Canadians have access to a drug that prevents HIV infection, but it's not getting into the hands of those who need it most. Read the Dal News story about how Dr. Kyle Wilby is helping to ensure Nova Scotian pharmacists are among the first in the country with the ability to prescribe the lifesaving medication.
Equity in medical education: Black Health Primer aims to build inclusive health care
The health needs and experiences of Black Canadians are vastly underrepresented in medical and health-sciences curricula. Led by Drs. OmiSoore Dryden at Dalhousie and Dr. Onye Nnorom from the University of Toronto, a community of Black scholars and practitioners is committed to changing this. Read the Dal News story about the the Primer, which is the first of its kind in Canada.
Dal and Nova Scotia launch Centre for Psychological Health for vulnerable populations
The centre will only serve low-income clients, particularly Nova Scotians who face barriers in accessing mental health services. Currently, the centre is partnering with specific community organizations to identify individuals who are most in need of their services. Read the Dal News story about the centre's launch.
UpLift Partnership empowers children and youth to take the lead in creating school communities that are healthy.
The UpLift Partnership is a School-Community-University partnership supporting the health and learning of school-aged children and youth using a Health Promoting Schools approach. Hosted within Dalhousie’s Healthy Populations Institute, Uplift operates in partnership with government, Nova Scotia Health, school communities, non-profits and the private sector. Read the Dal News story about the UpLift Partnership.
Building capacity in needs-based health workforce strengthening
The School of Nursing has been a designated World Health Organization/Pan American Health Organization (WHO/PAHO) Collaborating Centre on Health Workforce Planning and Research since 2008. The Centre has supported health workforce strengthening initiatives being conducted by PAHO and WHO globally, with specific focus in the Caribbean.
Athletics & Recreation youth programming
In addition to a full slate of summer, March break and PD day camps, Dalhousie Athletics & Recreation often works with community partners to offer opportunities for kids in our communities. For example, we have an ongoing partnership with the Halifax Regional Centre for Education that provides 22 free spots to ensure students from low socio-economic households are able to participate in summer camps.
Become a better informed health consumer!
Learn from the Faculty of Medicine's clinical experts through Mini Medical School. It's a grouping of free, public, weekly sessions online that can help you better understand your doctor. Learn why certain lifestyle choices are harmful or helpful. Find out how and why your body works the way it does. Join more than 1000 people who attend these sessions each year. All are welcome to attend.
Foundation for inclusion and distinction
Ready, set, tune‑up: Bikers gather for maintenance day on campus
Bike Tune-Up Day was made possible through Dalhousie’s Workplace Wellness Grants Program. The program funds more than a dozen projects each year that promote workplace wellness. Read the Dal News story about this wheelie-great wellness initiative.
Province funds new medical school campus in Cape Breton
The campus, the province’s second and the third campus for Dalhousie Medical School, will train 30 new doctors every year. It will include a new collaborative care clinic at the Nova Scotia Community College (NSCC), and an expansion of Cape Breton University’s health and counselling centre. Read the Dal News story about the planned campus in Cape Breton.
Dalhousie to offer free menstrual products in campus restrooms
This project recognizes that menstruation affects individuals regardless of their gender identity, making these products accessible in women's, men's and all-gender restrooms. Read the Dal News story about the project.
Dal reinforces commitment to health promotion by signing the Okanagan Charter
Dalhousie joined more than 30 Canadian universities and colleges from coast to coast in signing onto the Okanagan Charter: An International Charter for Health Promoting Universities and Colleges. The charter represents a formal commitment to being a health-promoting university. Read the Dal News story about the signing of the charter.
Take care of your whole health
Dalhousie Student Health & Wellness offers students many resources to help keep mind and body in shape. A variety of mental health resources are available for students, including same-day counselling, group counselling, access to Dal’s social worker, online resources and peer support. And while not all university students choose to have sex, there are resources available to Dalhousie students so they can take care of their sexual health.
Sexual Health Awareness Week
Held annually in February, the week is a celebration of sexual wellness, self-discovery, and owning your pleasure. With a focus on communication, consent, and self-awareness, Sexual Health Awareness Week aims to help you make confident decisions, break down barriers, and embrace a sex-positive attitude that boosts your overall well-being.
What you need to know about Dal's Mental Health Awareness Week
For the third year in a row, the university will be hosting its own Mental Health Awareness Week to promote mental health and help build a sense of belonging and holistic well-being for all students through events, activities, and conversations. Read the Dal News story about Mental Health Awareness Week.
Join the dialogue and share your ideas on how to support mental health at Dal
The Dalhousie Mental Health Forum (DMHF) is an open forum for students, faculty and staff to inspire and unite stakeholders in mental health and wellness. The DMHF provides a platform for sharing ideas and collaborating on mental health related events, programming and campaigns.