Speakers - WNSC 2025

Abstract

Rural areas in Cape Breton, Nova Scotia, Canada with low population density has a disproportionate aging population and have the highest rates of chronic diseases (i.e. diabetes, cancer) in Canada (Statistics Canada, 2021). Yet, there is a considerable lack of data in Canadian health research as to the health challenges individuals living in rural areas endure. Challenges to obtaining this data in Cape Breton is primarily due to the geographical landscape of the island. It is for these reasons; the concept of a Mobile Health Research Lab was developed.  This mobile lab can readily reach the farthest rural areas to systematically collect health research data. This mobile lab was essential because much research on rural health in Canada is researched from an urban perspective. We aim to research the uniqueness of rural communities and understand the influences of their geographical location, socio-economic environment, social support systems, access to food, housing, and health care. Spanning disciplines with expertise in nursing, chronic diseases, social work, homelessness and under-serviced populations, Indigenous medicine, and sports and wellness will be representative of rural data in Cape Breton, Nova Scotia, Canada.  

Data will be presented on the health challenges individuals living in rural Cape Breton encounter. 

An inter interdisciplinary team of health researchers at Cape Breton University. Spanning disciplines with expertise in nursing, chronic diseases, social work, homelessness and under-serviced populations, Indigenous medicine, and sports and wellness.   

Rural areas in Cape Breton with low population density has a disproportionately aging population and have the highest rates of chronic diseases (i.e., diabetes, cancer) in Canada (Statistics Canada, 2021). Yet, there is a serious lack of data and systematic bias in Canadian health research as to the health challenges individuals living in rural areas endure.   
It is time to bring health research to the people living in rural Cape Breton: A Mobile Health Research Lab.  This Mobile Research Lab is comprised of an interdisciplinary team of health researchers at Cape Breton University. Spanning disciplines with expertise in nursing, chronic diseases, social work, homelessness and under-serviced populations, Indigenous medicine, and sports and wellness. Moreover, this Mobile lab can be of service for our Centre of Healthy Aging, Medical School and future health research projects. 
This mobile lab can readily reach the farthest rural areas to systematically collect health research data.  This mobile lab is essential because much research on rural health in Canada is researched from an urban perspective. We aim to research the uniqueness of rural communities and understand the influences of their geographical location, socio-economic environment, social support systems, access to food, housing, and health care