O'Brien Institute for Public Health

05/05/2025

An international group of researchers has found that inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) progresses through four predictable epidemiological stages as it spreads globally. The study which was published in the Nature journal forecasts a major rise in IBD prevalence in Canada by 2045.

Dr. Gilaad Kaplan, principal investigator of the study, says that while the prevalence of IBD will continue to rise as people live longer with the disease, the rate of growth is expected to slow as the IBD population ages.

According to Dr. Kaplan, the study’s findings allow health authorities to prepare for IBD’s growing burden and develop targeted interventions to manage these chronic diseases.

Read the full story: https://bit.ly/42Cz1RJ.

02/26/2025

📢 The Women’s Health Symposium is happening Saturday, March 8, at Calgary Central Library!

While you can no longer RSVP in advance for the presentations, walk-ins are welcome! Drop by to explore the resource fair & art show and RSVP for the screening of Below the Belt—a must-watch documentary on endometriosis.

📽️ Below the Belt
🕒 3:10 – 4:45 PM
📍 Calgary Central Library
🎟️ RSVP now to secure your spot: loom.ly/YXQ6-G4

Join us in celebrating International Women’s Day by learning more about women’s health. See you there!

Calgary Public Library | University of Calgary | O'Brien Institute for Public Health | Alberta University of the Arts

02/20/2025

Wondering where to go for reliable sources of health information? Need help making evidence-based decisions?

Join experts Timothy Caufield and Dr. Jeremy Grimshaw for a Town Hall discussion on health misinformation & its consequences.

To gain insights on sources of credible information about your health and develop strategies to help you make evidence-informed choices, register here: https://events.ucalgary.ca/obrien/event/health-misinformation

02/13/2025

“How the heck is the public supposed to know what to believe?” If you've ever asked yourself this, you’re not alone.

We live in a world flooded with conflicting health information—so how do you know what to trust? Who decides what’s true, and what’s dangerous misinformation?

Join the O’Brien Institute for Public Health and leading experts for an urgent Town Hall discussion on the impact of health misinformation, how it shapes public trust, and what it means for you, your loved ones, and the future of public health.

📅 Date: Tuesday, March 4
⏰ Time: 6:30 to 8:30 p.m.
📍 Location: Calgary

Register now: https://events.ucalgary.ca/obrien/event/health-misinformation

02/03/2025

The Snyder Institute's Mini-Medical School is designed for anyone who is interested in learning about chronic, infectious and inflammatory diseases. Our interactive lecture series features topics such as chronic inflammation, HIV, kidney diseases, autoimmune diseases, cancer, the microbiome, lymph...

02/13/2023

We're proud to be partnering with the Society of Refugee Healthcare providers and Refugee Health YYC on the preeminent conference destination for health-care and resettlement professionals working with - coming to July 21-23!

Learn more and submit your abstract by March 1: https://t.co/LCQ91OTBMj

02/10/2023

Registration for the 2023 Gairdner Symposium is now open! We have some amazing speakers on the agenda to discuss the role of citizen engagement in advancing health and health care.

Learn more and register: https://obrieniph.ucalgary.ca/Gairdner-Symposium-2023

10/20/2022

Congratulations to the 2022 O'Brien Institute Award winners Drs Nauzer Forbes, Tolu Sajobi, Irene Ma, Lara Nixon, and Ronald Sigal.

It's an honour to work with such amazing colleagues.

Five awards presented to members who are advancing public health through research excellence at various stages in their careers

09/26/2022

Social Innovation has been heralded in recent years, but how does it work in the Calgary context, and what can it mean for health services and pop health researchers?

Learn more on Oct. 11: https://obrieniph.ucalgary.ca/members-forum-2022

09/13/2022

Are you a health or social science researcher interested in advancing your understanding of social innovation?

On Oct. 11, the O’Brien Institute will explore the topic of social innovation in the framework of public health.

Learn more and register:

O’Brien Institute Members Forum 2022 Date: October 11, 2022 Time: 8 a.m. – 1 p.m. Location: Libin Theatre, Health Science Centre, and online via Zoom Register to attend in person. Register to attend virtually.

09/01/2022

Registration is now open for Growing Older, Growing Smarter. Explore how accessible and smart technologies are influencing our aging experiences at a free, public event hosted by the Brenda Strafford Centre on Aging, the Canadian Frailty Network and AGE-WELL.

Exploring Technologies and Innovations that Support Older Albertans Date: Tuesday, Sept 27, 2022 Time: 11:30 – 4:30pm Location: Red & White Club McMahon Stadium 1833 Crowchild Trail NW

08/25/2022

Save the Date! On Oct. 11, the O’Brien Institute annual Members Forum will explore the topic of social innovation in the framework of public health.

Learn more:

O’Brien Institute Members Forum 2022 Date: October 11, 2022 Time: 8 a.m. – 1 p.m. Location: Libin Theatre, Health Science Centre, and online via Zoom Registration to come