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Exciting Milestone: Professors Jason Gilliland and Jamie Seabrook Receive $1 Million Funding for "The HEAL Healthy Youth Project"

February 21, 2025

By Diana CorredorHealthy Youth ProjectYouth health is deeply intertwined with various factors (Adobe Images)

In a groundbreaking achievement, Professors Jason Gilliland and Jamie Seabrook from Western University’s Faculty of Social Science and Schulich School of Medicine & Dentistry have been awarded $1 million in funding from the Children's Health Foundation and the Children's Health Research Institute. This prestigious grant will help propel their innovative work on The HEAL Healthy Youth Project, an initiative research program designed to transform the health and well-being of children and youth across our communities.

A Vision for Healthier Futures

The Human Environments Analysis Laboratory (HEAL) Healthy Youth Project at Western University is a collaborative research program aimed at identifying, preventing, and reducing unhealthy lifestyle behaviours among youth. Dr. Gilliland and Dr. Seabrook, as lead researchers, will explore various health determinants and intervention strategies to promote lifelong healthy habits.

Their research program will focus on key areas such as:

  • Substance use prevention – Investigating the factors influencing youth consumption of e-cigarettes, tobacco, cannabis, and alcohol, while developing strategies to mitigate usage, reduce potential harms, and explore effective treatment approaches.
  • Sedentary behaviour reduction – Identifying barriers to physical activity and implementing initiatives to encourage movement among youth.
  • Healthy eating habits – Understanding the social and economic determinants of nutrition, improving food literacy, and dietary behaviours.
  • Sleep health – Studying determinants of (un)healthy sleep patterns and developing approaches to enhance sleep duration and quality among young people.
  • Youth Advisory Council (HEALYAC) – Empowering youth voices, perspectives, and expertise in shaping research priorities and policies.
  • Training future researchers – Supporting students and postdoctoral fellows in conducting impactful studies on youth health.

 

A Collaborative Approach to Youth Health

Jason GillilandDr. Jason Gilliland, Director of the Urban Development Program and a Full Professor in the Department of Geography and Environment at Western University, brings knowledge and expertise from the fields of geography and urban planning to studies of child and youth health. His research program is focused on generating and mobilizing evidence needed to develop effective policies, programs and practices for creating healthy and vibrant communities for all.

"Jamie and I both lead the HEAL lab, and this grant is a vote of confidence in the work we have been doing together," said Dr. Gilliland. "Our research isn't just about writing papers for academia; it's about making tangible differences in communities. By working with local organizations and health professionals, we can witness the impact of our work firsthand."

 

Jamie SeabrookDr. Jamie Seabrook, a Full Professor in the Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, specializes in the social determinants of child health disparities and youth substance use and mental health.   His research has highlighted the long-term health outcomes associated with cumulative advantage and disadvantage processes across the life course.

"Youth health is deeply intertwined with various factors, from preventing harmful behaviours like substance use to encouraging better diets, sleep, and physical activity," said Dr. Seabrook. "Mental health is also a critical component, especially as young people face rising unemployment and uncertainty about the future."

Transforming Research into Action

With this $1 million investment, The HEAL Healthy Youth Project is poised to make significant strides in addressing critical youth health challenges in Canada. The funding will support extensive research, community engagement, and the development of new frameworks that guide policymakers in fostering healthier environments for youth.

The successful e collaboration between Dr. Gilliland and Dr. Seabrook showcases the transformative power of interdisciplinary research in fostering healthier, more equitable communities. By merging expertise in urban planning and public health with advanced geographic analysis and epidemiology, their work addresses critical child and youth health issues while shaping public health initiatives. Their groundbreaking research will not only inform current policies but also inspire future generations of researchers to carry forward this essential mission.

As Dr. Gilliland put it, "Our goal is to transform the way cities think about health—especially the health of children. We want to make sure that every child, regardless of where they live, has access to the spaces and resources they need to thrive."

With the backing of the Children's Health Foundation and the Children's Health Research Institute, this initiative promises to leave a lasting impact on youth health, paving the way for healthier communities for years to come.

Let's support this research by sharing it with the community.