Moving forward, Stop TB Canada’s recommendation is adopting a whole-of-government Canadian Global Health Strategy and supporting a consultative multi-stakeholder forum to ensure whole-of-society approach to global health.

Thank you, MP Oliphant and the team, for the great conversation and engaging with us!

"Stop TB Canada plays a vital role in championing infectious-disease resilience, strengthening global health governance, and ensuring equitable access to care both at home and abroad. I was proud to meet with Yuliya Chorna and delegates from Stop TB Canada to discuss their vital advocacy and recommendations for Canada's global health priorities, and I thank them for their dedication to building a healthier, more secure world for all."

-Robert Oliphant (MP Don Valley West) via LinkedIn

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October 10th is World Mental Health Day, observed to raise global awareness about mental health issues and mobilize efforts in support of mental health.

Learn more about some of the projects at the Dahdaleh Institute surrounding mental health here:

• YMIND
• CalmConnect
• Retooling Black Anxiety
• Wellness Impact Lab
• Digital Wellbeing Hub
• HEATSCAPE-Africa

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I had the opportunity to attend the Summer School on Systems Thinking and Innovation for the Prevention of Noncommunicable Diseases (NCDs) and a Healthy Ageing Population in the WHO European Region, held from 21–24 July 2026 in Nice, France. The four-day programme provided a comprehensive introduction to systems thinking, beginning with the political and stakeholder dimensions of NCD action. I gained insights into engaging with complexity, driving innovation and systems change, understanding political realities, and identifying and mapping key stakeholders. Practical activities, including developing a 60-second political narrative and participating in a coalition-building simulation, helped demonstrate how stakeholder alignment, legitimacy, financing, and timing can influence policy implementation.

The second day focused on systems concepts and methods. Particularly valuable were the sessions on developing a systems-thinking mindset, understanding NCDs and healthy ageing from a systems perspective, and participatory mapping using causal loop diagrams. I also gained practical exposure to CLD using Polygon and network analysis through StakeholderNet, including its application and considerations for selecting an appropriate systems method.

The third day provided further methodological training through an introduction to Agent-Based Modelling (ABM) and practical work using NetLogo. The programme also addressed how complex interventions can be evaluated differently, including approaches to evaluating systems-informed studies and systems change. A group exercise using the Futures Wheel further developed my understanding of future-oriented systems analysis.

The final day focused on translating learning into practice through group presentations, participant reflections, and discussion on taking systems thinking into real-world policy initiatives. Overall, the summer school strengthened my knowledge of systems approaches and provided practical tools that I can apply to research, policy development, stakeholder engagement, and the evaluation of complex public health initiatives.

Overall, attending the Summer School was a highly valuable professional and academic development experience. It enhanced my understanding of complex systems, introduced me to practical analytical approaches, and provided opportunities for international networking and knowledge exchange. I intend to apply the concepts and insights gained from the programme to my future research and professional activities.

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Over twelve months, the team completed 9,600 surveys in total, following the same 680 households every month and surveying all water sources in the three communities every two months. The water source surveys explored how each source is managed and the relationships between source owners and the people who collect water from them. Together, these link what households experience to how water is supplied and governed. This longitudinal design is central to the dissertation, which argues that water insecurity in Freetown follows seasonal cycles and that one-time measurement misses much of what households experience over a year.

Reaching a sample of this size depended on consistent work on the ground. Dahdaleh Institute funding paid for a large part of that groundwork, directly supporting data collection in all three communities. Without it, the study would not have been as robust, and that robustness is critical in Brian’s desire to influence international water policy.

With fieldwork concluded, the next stage is cleaning, analyzing, and writing up the full year of data. Beyond forming the empirical core of the dissertation, the data is intended to inform the next generation of global water targets. As discussion evolves on what follows the Sustainable Development Goals after 2030, this work aims to contribute to improved metrics for the future of SDG6.

Brian Waters thanks the Dahdaleh Institute for Global Health Research for its support of this research. As a Dahdaleh Global Health Scholar since 2023, he has greatly valued the academic and social enrichment of being part of the Institute's community, which has shaped both this project and his broader development as a researcher.

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This 2013 study by Jayatilake and colleagues (including Dr Firdosi Mehta) investigated the prevalence and possible causes of chronic kidney disease of uncertain aetiology (CKDu) in agricultural communities in North Central Sri Lanka. CKDu is characterized by progressive kidney damage that cannot be explained by diabetes, hypertension, or other recognized causes. The study was undertaken as part of a national research project supported by the Sri Lankan Ministry of Health and WHO.

A cross-sectional population study was conducted in three CKDu-endemic districts between 2010 and 2012. Among 6,698 invited adults aged 15–70 years, 4,957 participated and 733 met the study's CKDu definition, based primarily on persistent albuminuria and exclusion of recognized kidney diseases. Researchers compared CKDu cases with controls from both endemic and non-endemic areas and analysed urine, blood, hair, nails, food, water, soil, fertilizers and pesticides for potentially nephrotoxic substances.

The age-standardized prevalence was substantial—16.9% among females and 12.9% among males. Prevalence increased with age, while more advanced disease was disproportionately observed among men. Being older than 39 years and working as a farmer, particularly in chena cultivation, were associated with increased risk.

The strongest environmental finding concerned cadmium exposure. Urinary cadmium concentrations were significantly higher in CKDu patients than in controls, and increasing urinary cadmium was associated with more advanced CKDu stages. Cadmium was also elevated in some locally produced foods, particularly certain vegetables and lotus products, while soil in endemic areas contained higher cadmium concentrations.

The study also identified multiple potential contributing exposures. Arsenic concentrations were elevated to levels associated with kidney injury, 63% of CKDu patients had serum selenium below 90 μg/L, and pesticide residues above reference levels were detected in 31.6% of cases. However, drinking-water samples generally did not show consistently elevated cadmium, arsenic or lead.

The authors therefore concluded that CKDu is probably multifactorial, with chronic low-level cadmium exposure through the food chain and pesticide exposure potentially playing important roles. Low selenium and genetic susceptibility may increase vulnerability. The study did not establish a single definitive cause, and the authors acknowledged limitations including the cross-sectional design, limitations of the CKDu case definition, and lack of biopsy confirmation.

Find the full study here:

Jayatilake, N., Mendis, S., Maheepala, P., & Mehta, Firdosi R. (2013). Chronic kidney disease of uncertain aetiology: prevalence and causative factors in a developing country. BMC Nephrology, 14(1), 180.

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At the start of the Fall term, the BioCAM4 team is working on partnerships, outreach, and preparations for a range of activities, including delivering at international conferences, producing outputs, advancing co-creation in focus areas in Central America and East Africa, and planning for knowledge dissemination and policy outreach. A highlight of the Annual Meeting was the announcement of the a continental initiative developed in collaboration with Taylor & Francis to strengthen scholarly writing, publishing support, policy communication, and mentorship for African researchers,  and a book launch by ARIN, a key partner of BioCAM4, of the book on decolonizing research and impact on climate governance.

Another highlight was the launch of the database, jointly with the project and BioCAM4.

An upcoming flagship activity of BioCAM4 is the   in Antalya, Türkiye. Currently, the BioCAM4 team and its partners are coordinating a range of COP31-related activities. The BioCAM4 team is also exploring various ways to bring their work to the climate community. These activities will help connect the BioCAM4 research and partnerships to current international discussions on climate, biodiversity, and sustainability.

BioCAM4 is an international research consortium bringing together researchers, policymakers, and community partners to advance knowledge on nature-based climate action. BioCAM4 is funded by the Government of Canada’s New Frontiers in Research Fund (NFRF) (Grant number: NFRFI-2023-00225), Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft / German Science Foundation (DFG), and UKRI's Economic and Social Research Council (grant no: ES/Z000092/1).

BioCAM4 explores pathways that deliver co-benefits for climate, biodiversity, human health, and local livelihoods, through global mapping, regional deep-dive studies, and policy engagement, the project. The project is coordinated by the Dahdaleh Institute for Global Health Research (91��ɫ, Canada), with consortium partners, the German Institute of Development and Sustainability (IDOS - Germany), Tropical Agricultural Research and Higher Education Center (CATIE, Costa Rica), Africa Research and Impact Network (ARIN - Kenya), and Greater Virunga Transboundary Collaboration (Rwanda), Institute of Zoology (United Kingdom), and Radboud University (Netherlands).

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The morning began with participants meeting at the Health, Nursing and Environmental Studies (HNES) building before walking together to the garden in small intergenerational groups. Once there, attendees were welcomed by Phyllis Novak-Nowakowski, chief steward of Maloca Community Garden, who invited participants to connect with the land with a guided tour.  Phyllis shared a rich history of Indigenous stewardship of the land.  During the tour WIL co-lead, Susan Harris, invited participants to select a natural object from the garden, later used in discussions to symbolize our relationship to earth and climate change impacts. This simple activity grounded the day's conversations in place, encouraging reflection on participants' personal relationships with nature and the climate crisis.

Rather than focusing solely on climate science or solutions, the Earth Café created space for listening, dialogue, and emotional connection. Participants were seated in small facilitated groups that intentionally mixed younger and older generations. Through three rounds of conversation, attendees introduced themselves, reflected on their experiences with climate change, asked one another questions across generations, and shared intentions for future action.

One participant described the atmosphere as "experimental, reflective, and connection-oriented," while another appreciated "spending quality time in a beautiful outdoor environment full of nature while having deep conversations."

The intergenerational format emerged as one of the event's greatest strengths. Participants consistently highlighted how valuable it was to hear perspectives they might not otherwise encounter in their daily lives.

One student reflected, "It's easy to only be involved in your own age bubble, neglecting the other people in the conversation." Another participant described the conversations as "very much needed," emphasizing that they provided new perspectives and encouraged meaningful dialogue between generations.

Participants who were older had similar opinions. According to one retiree, the talks were a "very rich exchange with honest and emotional connections," highlighting the significance of hearing from various generations and finding common ground despite having diverse life experiences. The encounter was described by another as "exciting, inspiring, meaningful, and enriching."

The experience was significantly shaped by the garden itself. Attendees gathered outside among natural plants and developing gardens rather than in a conventional meeting space, fostering an atmosphere that promoted introspection and camaraderie. One person expressed their appreciation for "learning on and with and from the land," while another mentioned that "the garden" was their favourite aspect of the occasion.

Participants discussed sources of hope, resiliency, and group action in addition to their worries about climate change. Many were motivated by others' openness to participate honestly and freely.

Hearing from different generations inspired hope. One student wrote that the discussions were "insightful and provided us with hope for the future and our ecological efforts." Another thought about a significant personal insight: "Our voices have power." It's still possible to make a modification.

The significance of community action was also underlined by a number of attendees. Reminders to "plant more things and raise awareness," "let's move forward and act together," and "vocalize your individual steps to cascade a domino effect for change" were among the takeaways.

The feedback served as a blueprint for Earth Cafes in the future. Participants relished the thought of longer conversations and appeared to lean towards additional opportunities for action-oriented activities, featuring discussion on climate emotions.

The Intergenerational Earth Café demonstrated that creating spaces where people of different generations can listen, learn, and reflect together can foster hope in the face of climate uncertainty. As one participant summarized, "Our efforts do matter, there are other people who are also concerned about our planet's future, and there is hope."

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The Order of Canada recognizes Canadians whose exceptional achievements and service have enriched our nation and made a lasting impact on the world. In announcing this year's appointments, Governor General Louise Arbour noted that the recipients "reflect the talent and determination that shape Canada's future." 

Harvey was recognized as a globally respected leader in behaviour change and addictions. His pioneering Drug Abuse Screening Test (DAST) has become the international standard for identifying substance use problems, influencing clinical practice and public policy around the world. He was also honoured for championing digital innovation, interdisciplinary learning, international peacebuilding, and youth-led action on climate change. 

Throughout a career spanning more than four decades, Harvey has combined scholarship with service, inspiring generations of students, researchers, and community leaders. He is a Professor Emeritus of Psychology and Global Health at 91��ɫ, a Senior Fellow at the Dahdaleh Institute for Global Health Research, and was founding Dean of 91��ɫ’s Faculty of Health (2006–2016). Before that, he spent 30 years at the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health (CAMH) and then the University of Toronto as Chair of Public Health Sciences (now the Dalla Lana School of Public Health). 

Today, Harvey and Susan Harris co-lead the Wellness Impact Lab at the Dahdaleh Institute, exploring innovative ways to foster health, resilience, and climate well-being. Whether through research, mentoring, or teaching Qi Gong, Harvey continues to live by a guiding vision: 

healing ourselves, healing others, healing our planet. 

Congratulations, Harvey, on this well-deserved national honour!

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From May 18–20, 2026, I had the opportunity to attend and present at “Bold Ideas for Brighter Futures: The 2nd Global Conference on Child and Adolescent Mental Health”  in Cape Town, South Africa. The conference was supported by Stellenbosch University, the Institute for Life Course Health Research, UNICEF, and the Karolinska Institute. The conference brought together students, researchers, practitioners, youth delegates, policymakers, and advocates working across child and adolescent mental health.

As part of the conference, I presented my PhD research in the session “Climate Change, Nature, and Child and Adolescent Mental Health” on May 19, 2026. My presentation was titled “Mapping Child and Youth Engagement in Climate Change Governance: A Scoping Review of Access, Agency, and Wellbeing.” The review examines how children and youth are engaged in climate change governance, with attention to who is able to access these spaces, how much agency young people have within them, and how participation affects their wellbeing. I was grateful to present alongside distinguished researchers working on related climate change topics in child and adolescent health. Topics included climate change in refugee settings in Uganda, mental health impacts in Bangladesh, and nature-based prescriptions in South Africa. This session was especially valuable because it allowed me to situate my work on participatory child and youth governance within a broader discussion about climate change, nature, and child and adolescent mental health.

The conference was also an important learning opportunity because of its strong commitment to meaningful youth engagement. Youth delegates were not only present as participants, but were involved though a youth advisory board to support the design and delivery of the conference. Over the nine months leading up to the event, these advisors contributed as decision-makers in shaping how the conference was organized, co-panelists, speakers, and facilitators. This reflected a central finding from my own research: initiatives concerning young people are stronger, more legitimate, and more responsive when young people are meaningfully involved from the beginning.

In addition to the main conference sessions, I attended several pre-sessions and networking events, including sessions focused on research funding, knowledge translation, and research collaborations. These sessions provided useful insights into current priorities in global child and adolescent mental health research, which helps me situate where my research can fit within the discourse on climate change, participation, and youth wellbeing.

One of the most powerful moments of the conference was the presentation of “A Youth Manifesto for Child and Adolescent Mental Health”. It was developed by the Bold Ideas for Brighter Futures Youth Advisory board, and represented the voices of 221 young people aged 10–35. The manifesto had 5 demands for researchers, institutions, and policymakers: build inclusive and scalable systems; ensure “nothing about us without us”; innovate with care; measure what matters; and leave no one behind in emergency and crisis settings. Conference attendees all put the manifesto in the air (picture attached), and were invited to sign the manifesto in support. Overall, the conference was an inspiring and energizing experience that strengthened my commitment to youth-centered, rights-based, and participatory approaches to climate change and child and adolescent mental health research.

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HWE Lab Director Dr. Syed Imran Ali presented the Lab's research on potential hazards for paediatric severe acute malnutrition (SAM) patients arising from chemical water quality (CWQ) in therapeutic feeding centres (TFCs). Conducted in partnership with Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) and McGill's Dr. Jennifer Turnbull (DI Visiting Scholar), the research emerged in response to an unexplained cluster of deaths in a TFC during the 2017 Horn of Africa nutritional crisis.

Children with SAM are among the most vulnerable patients seen in emergencies as their metabolic and physiological processes are profoundly fragile. Therapeutic feeding and rehydration products—fortified milks (F75, F100), ready-to-use therapeutic food (RUTF), and SAM-specific ORS (ReSoMal)—are precisely calibrated for their energy, nutrient, electrolyte, and mineral content. Most are provided as dry powders, to be reconstituted with locally available water—which is often highly mineralized deep groundwater in regions where food and water insecurity overlap. The 2017 cluster raised the hypothesis that such water, if used to reconstitute therapeutic products, could disturb patients' calibrated intakes and contribute to adverse clinical outcomes.

Prompted by this concern, MSF asked the HWE Lab to investigate. The Lab conducted a knowledge synthesis study to test the hypothesis and propose preliminary guidance on allowable water quality in TFC water supplies. Through an adapted water quality risk assessment—comprising an exposure assessment tool, a systematic literature review, and an expert panel of medical, nutrition, and water quality specialists—the study identified four parameters of greatest concern—sodium, magnesium, sulphate, and nitrate/nitrite—and proposed provisional upper limits of intake for paediatric SAM patients. It also proposed a screening threshold based on commonly-measured electrical conductivity (EC >1500 µS/cm) to flag when water likely exceeds those limits. Practitioners at the forum noted that the EC threshold offers a widely-applicable tool for managing these risks in TFCs globally. A number of research institutions and humanitarian organizations expressed interest in joining the next phase: a global assessment of water quality and clinical outcomes in TFCs across high-risk regions.

Civil Engineering PhD candidate and Dahdaleh Scholar Michael De Santi presented online on data-driven optimization of a surface water treatment plant at the Kyaka II refugee settlement in Uganda. Mike demonstrated how treatment processes can be modelled and optimized from routine operational monitoring data using machine-learning techniques, rather than costly pilot testing. Oxfam is now seeking inputs from his work to inform their field programs in Uganda.

Finally, HWE Lab collaborators at Solidarités International (SI) presented the Chlorination Chain Study in Gaza. Dr. Ali delivered the technical section on chlorine decay analysis using the Safe Water Optimization Tool (SWOT), which generated evidence-based chlorination targets specific to the tough conditions in Gaza. The HWE Lab's work with SI in Gaza is now expanding, alongside a new collaboration with MSF there as well.

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