Abstract

The IRSST is participating in the funding of an occupational asthma research centre with the Institut de santé publique and people from the Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR) and the Canadian Lung Association. This important project was developed so that the effects of physical and social environments on health can be better managed. Scientists from different disciplines (clinical and evaluative research, epidemiology, economics, psychology, immunology and molecular biology) are involved in determining this centre’s orientations and in its operation. Mechanisms are already planned to transfer knowledge from researchers to the first users, namely the Québec and Maritime occupational health and safety boards as well as public health branches. Training programs for health professionals and information programs for workers at risk will also be developed.