While the world’s eyes are glued to the screen watching elite athletes push the limits of human potential, a different kind of record-breaking effort is happening right here in Canada. It doesn’t involve a stadium or a synchronized routine, but its impact is just as monumental.

At CanPath, we often talk about our participants as “champions.” It might sound like a bit of a stretch when you’re just filling out questionnaires or providing biosamples, but in the world of longitudinal health research, that’s exactly what you are – a champion!

The “unseen training” of public health

Olympic greatness is built on years of routines: what an athlete eats, how they recover, and how they move every single day. Public health is no different. To understand why some Canadians stay healthy while others develop chronic diseases, researchers need to look at those same behaviours and environments over a long period.

This is where the HEAL and CHARM studies come into play:

• HEAL (HEALthy Eating and Supportive Environments): This is the largest study on diet and physical activity in Canada. By sharing how you eat, move, and live, you help build a foundation for healthier communities and provide data that will guide future health programs and policies for generations to come.
• CHARM (CHARacterizing heterogeneity in dietary intake among structurally excluded populations using Multidimensional data): Select participants will be invited to go a step further. This study involves providing a fasted blood and optional stool sample to help researchers uncover exactly how diet influences our biology and long-term health, including cancer outcomes.

Turning minutes into milestones

We often hear the question: “Does my individual data really make a difference?” The answer is a resounding yes. When your specific details are combined with those of thousands of other Canadians, patterns emerge that would otherwise stay hidden.

While an Olympic sprint is over in seconds, the data you provide in the HEAL & CHARM surveys (which takes about the same amount of time as 3-4 hockey games!) creates a “health map” that will guide doctors and policymakers for decades. You aren’t just providing stats; you are helping build a roadmap for a healthier Canada.

Your contribution is the legacy

The research generated by CanPath participants lives on in the form of better cancer screening, more effective health guidelines, and a deeper understanding of our communities.

You don’t need a coach or a specialized diet to be a part of this team. You just need to share your story.