Forum works with PHAC to disseminate evidence, insights from stakeholder dialogue

February 15, 2013 - The key findings and insights that emerged from the McMaster Health Forum’s national stakeholder dialogue on promoting healthy weights will be the focus of a public webinar on Feb. 27.

Organized by the Forum in collaboration with and with funding support from the Public Health Agency of Canada (PHAC), the webinar will take place from 1 to 2:30 p.m., and is open to anyone interested in learning more about promoting healthy weights and preventing obesity, which is among the biggest public health challenges facing Canadian society.

The webinar will be presented by Mike Wilson, assistant director of the Forum and lead author of the evidence brief that was prepared to inform the stakeholder dialogue convened by the Forum in September 2012, along with Kerry Robinson of PHAC and Mary Collins of the BC Healthy Living Alliance.

The brief and dialogue were designed to support an evidence-informed approach to promoting healthy weights using population-based interventions in Canada. The brief drew on the best available research from systematic reviews, and the dialogue brought together a mix of provincial and federal policymakers, healthcare professionals, researchers and representatives from public interest groups to examine the problem, options for addressing it, and key implementation considerations. The initiative was supported with funding from the Canadian Institutes of Health Research.

The webinar, part of the Forum’s ongoing dissemination efforts to share the result of its initiatives, will feature an overview of the key findings from the evidence brief, insights from the stakeholder dialogue, and highlights of important potential next steps for different constituencies.

Robinson, manager of interventions and knowledge mobilization at the Centre for Chronic Disease Prevention at PHAC, will provide the introductory context and significance of the issue, followed by Wilson’s presentation on the brief’s findings and outcomes of the dialogue. Collins, director of the secretariat for the BC Healthy Living Alliance, will then discuss the non-governmental organization perspective related to healthy weights and preventing obesity. There will be about 20 minutes available for questions from participants in the webinar.

Wilson’s role with the Forum includes overseeing and developing products such as evidence briefs and dialogue summaries related to stakeholder dialogues on pressing health challenges. He also contributes to the evaluation of the briefs and dialogues.

Robinson’s work bridges research, policy and practice perspectives aimed at evidence-informed prevention and health promotion. She has graduates degrees in health geography and health research methods.

Collins is a former Member of Parliament and cabinet minister who held portfolios in national defence, health and welfare, and the environment. In addition to her role at the Healthy Living Alliance, she is also chair of the Chronic Disease Prevention Alliance of Canada.

To register for the webinar click here.

Links to all of the Forum’s products related to the healthy weights dialogue can be found on our Products page.