The paper examines antimicrobial resistance (AMR) as a complex and interconnected food-system problem rather than simply a consequence of inappropriate antimicrobial use. Using a One Health perspective, the authors recognize that human, animal and environmental health are closely connected and that antimicrobial use across livestock production, aquaculture, agriculture and healthcare can contribute to the emergence and spread of resistant organisms. The study focuses on understanding the broader social, economic, regulatory and behavioural factors that sustain antimicrobial use and resistance within food systems in Canada, Senegal, and the Netherlands, using participatory approaches and complex systems modelling methods. 

The comparison of Canada, Senegal and the Netherlands demonstrates that AMR is a global problem with different local drivers that require context-appropriate solutions. The study also reinforces the importance of the One Health approach. AMR genes can move between people, animals, food and the environment. Addressing AMR therefore requires systems-informed collaborations across human health, veterinary medicine, agriculture, environmental health and public policy rather than interventions within the healthcare sector alone.

Find the full publication here:

Clifford Astbury, Chloe, Hu, Catherine, Sow, M. M., Ciss, M., Dückers, M., Schneeberger, C., Van Heuvel, L., Aenishaenslin, C., Benko, R., Bordier, M., De Leon, Valentina, Kavulikirwa, O. K., Loboda, É., Rajan, Arabi, Ruckert, A., Villanueva, S., Wiktorowicz, Mary, & Penney, Tarra L. (2026). Disrupting antimicrobial resistance in food systems from a One Health perspective: a complex systems analysis in Canada, Senegal and the Netherlands. BMC Global and Public Health, 4(1).

The post Hot off the Press — New Paper Explores Antimicrobial Resistance in Food Systems From a One Health Perspective appeared first on Dahdaleh Institute for Global Health Research.

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

The post Championing a National Global Health Strategy for Canada appeared first on Dahdaleh Institute for Global Health Research.

Join us in advancing global health research and making a lasting impact!

Our Institute and DGHGS program are dedicated to promoting equity, excellence, and effectiveness in global health research, focusing on three core themes: planetary health, global health and humanitarianism, and global health foresighting.

We are proud to support outstanding graduate researchers and innovative projects that are driving positive change around the world. Explore the inspiring work of our past recipients from 2024; 2025; and 2026.

This is your opportunity to become part of our dynamic community at 91ÑÇÉ«, where exceptional graduate students—both domestic and international—contribute to shaping the future of global health.

Scholarship Value: Ranging from $5,000 to $30,000 CAD.

For eligibility details and application instructions, visit our Dahdaleh Global Health Graduate Scholarship page.

As Dahdaleh Graduate Global Health Scholars, DGHGS recipients will also gain access to:

• collaborative workspaces;
• support for research dissemination;
• invitations to exclusive Institute global health events;
• and many other professional development opportunities

Application Deadline: Friday, January 8, 2027, at noon p.m. ET

For questions or additional information, please contact us at dighr@yorku.ca

The post Announcement – Applications for 2027 Dahdaleh Global Health Graduate Scholarships Open! appeared first on Dahdaleh Institute for Global Health Research.

Poirier, Mathieu J., United Nations University, & Centre for Policy Research. (2026b). The Independent Panel on Evidence for Action against Antimicrobial Resistance: Building a Science-Policy Interface Fit for the Twenty-First Century. In Global Governance Innovation Platform (GGI) • Policy Memo Series [Report].

The post Hot off the Press — Building a Science-Policy Interface Fit for the Twenty-First Century appeared first on Dahdaleh Institute for Global Health Research.

By Jennifer Doodnauth

As demand grows for technologies that support independent living, a 91ÑÇÉ« researcher will bring Canadian expertise and insights from community engaged research to the international standards that guide their development.

Through the appointment, Desai will contribute community-engaged research insights and subject matter expertise to Canada’s participation in the development of international standards for accessible assistive technologies.

The committee supports the development of standards for technologies, products and services that promote independent living, accessibility and quality of life for people of all ages and abilities, including older adults, people with disabilities and people living with dementia.

As a member, Desai will review standards documents, provide subject-matter expertise and help develop consensus based Canadian positions on international standards initiatives.

"This appointment is an opportunity for me to bring 91ÑÇÉ«'s expertise and commitment to inclusive innovation into international standards development," says Desai.

"I look forward to collaborating with experts from Canada and around the world to help shape technologies and systems that are accessible, responsible and responsive to people's needs."

The appointment reflects Desai's longstanding research in accessible interaction design, inclusive and assistive technologies, aging and dementia, as well as participatory approaches that engage older adults and people with disabilities in the design process. Her participation on the committee will also create opportunities to bring emerging international standards into both her research and teaching.

She plans to incorporate insights from the committee's work into course content and experiential learning opportunities, giving students exposure to the standards and requirements that shape technologies from design through implementation. Desai says students will also be encouraged to explore how accessibility-focused innovations can be translated into socially responsible and commercially viable solutions that address community needs.   

"This role will allow me to introduce students to standards-informed design and show them how international standards influence the development, evaluation and adoption of accessible and assistive technologies," says Desai.

Beyond student learning, Desai sees the appointment as an opportunity to extend the global reach of her community-engaged research by helping to ensure accessibility and lived experience remain central considerations in standards development.

"Older adults, people with disabilities and people living with dementia often encounter usability and adoption barriers when technologies do not reflect their needs, abilities and everyday contexts," she says.

"When their perspectives and lived experiences inform standards, and standards subsequently guide the design and development process, technologies and services are more likely to be accessible, useful, interoperable and adopted in practice."

Desai hopes to help ensure that diverse perspectives are reflected in global standards development while demonstrating 91ÑÇÉ«'s leadership in inclusive innovation.

"Ultimately, I hope this work contributes to technologies and services that support independence, participation and quality of life in Canada and around the world."

The post 91ÑÇÉ« researcher helps guide global accessible technology standards appeared first on Dahdaleh Institute for Global Health Research.

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

The post World Mental Health Day 2026 appeared first on Dahdaleh Institute for Global Health Research.

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.

The post Summer School on Systems Thinking and Innovation for Preventing Noncommunicable Diseases and Promoting Healthy Ageing in the WHO European Region appeared first on Dahdaleh Institute for Global Health Research.

The event opened with remarks from 91ÑÇÉ« Interim-President and Vice-Chancellor Lisa Philipps, and was moderated by Global Strategy Lab Founder and DI faculty fellow Steven Hoffman.

Watch the full discussion:

The post Recap — Examining the Future of Global Health and Innovation appeared first on Dahdaleh Institute for Global Health Research.

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.

The post No Health Without Water: Wrapping Up a Year of Fieldwork in Freetown appeared first on Dahdaleh Institute for Global Health Research.

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.

The post Research with Enduring Impact: CKDu Study Reaches 500 Citations appeared first on Dahdaleh Institute for Global Health Research.