Innovation Anthology #112: Associate Professor of Marine Biology

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Depression during pregnancy is on the rise. Recent statistics indicate about 12 percent of pregnant women will either be diagnosed with or seek medical help for depression.

That’s where APRON or Alberta Pregnancy Outcomes and Nutrition, comes in. This study funded by the Alberta Heritage Foundation for Medication Research will follow 10,000 pregnant women in Edmonton and Calgary, documenting the nutritional status of these women to establish what links there may be to their mental health.

Dr. Catherine Field is a professor of nutrition at the University of Alberta and one of three principle investigators with APRON.

DR. CATHERINE FIELD: There’s a growing body of literature suggesting that nutrition, even things like body weight gain during pregnancy, can influence mental health which, of course, can also influence what the mother is eating if they are suffering from some level of depression. We really don’t know that association And actually there’s no group in North America looking at mental health and nutrition.

Dr. Field’s team will also follow the babies, looking at what impact the mom’s mental health and nutrition have on the neurological development of their infants.

Thanks today to the Alberta Heritage Foundation for Medical Research.

FOR INNOVATION ANTHOLOGY, I’M CHERYL CROUCHER

NOTE:  The former AHFMR is now called Alberta Innovates Health Solutions

Guest

Feng Chen, PhD,

University of Maryland Centre for Environmental Science, Baltimore, Maryland, United States,

Sponsor

Alberta Innovates Health Solutions

Alberta Innovates (formerly Alberta Innovates – Health Solutions)

As the newly formed Alberta Innovates corporation, we still fund top quality, internationally competitive health research and innovation activities to improve the health and wellbeing of Albertans. We provide leadership for Alberta’s health research and innovation enterprise by directing, coordinating, reviewing, funding and supporting research and innovation.

Working with our many partners  in the health system, we ensure that research achieves innovation in care, policy and practice, and that the needs of patients and clinicians influence research.

Our background

Alberta Innovates consolidation was launched November 1, 2016.

Alberta Innovates – Health Solutions

Alberta Innovates – Health Solutions was established as part of the Alberta Innovates system by an Act of Legislation of the Government of Alberta. It is a agency  of the Government of Alberta. We receive a yearly allocation from the Ministry of Health and report through the ministry to the people of Alberta.

Our Mandate and Roles document reflects our role and responsibilities and outlines the government statues and regulations with which we comply.

Alberta’s Health Research and Innovation Strategy (AHRIS) sets out Alberta’s health research agenda for the coming decade to ensure our considerable investments in research align with our priority—to improve the health of Albertans.

Program Date: 2008-02-28