The Canadian Partnership for Tomorrow’s Health (CanPath) has become a cornerstone of population-level health research in Canada. As it celebrates 15 years since its launch, the cohort is in its prime. Representing one in every 100 Canadians between the ages of 30 and 74, CanPath is not just a platform — it is a reflection of our nation’s commitment to understanding and improving health for all Canadians.

We have created an unparalleled resource for researchers with over 330,000 participants who have generously contributed their health and biological information. CanPath makes genomic, environmental, lifestyle, and electronic health-related data available to the scientific research community. This data is the foundation for long-term population health studies that delve into the intricate interplay between health, lifestyle, and risk factors.

As our participants age, some may encounter health challenges like cancer or heart disease. At these critical junctures, CanPath data becomes invaluable. Researchers can examine this wealth of information to identify factors contributing to disease onset.

This excerpt is from an article originally published by the Innovation News Network. Dr. Philip Awadalla, CanPath National Scientific Director, explains how the vision behind the population-level health research at CanPath, which includes creating healthy environments, partnering with Indigenous communities, and fostering better data security practices.