Care providers and people living in long-term care homes were among the most affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. A study led by Vancouver Coastal Health Research Institute (VCHRI) researcher Dr. Lillian Hung explores how the person-centred culture of care and positive attitude at one care home brought staff and residents closer together and improved the mealtime experience for residents.

Health care workers have been on the front lines of the COVID-19 pandemic since it began in early 2020. Diagnosing, treating and caring for patients infected with the virus, they were potentially put at higher risk of contracting the disease without proper protection. Despite this, research led by Vancouver Coastal Health Research Institute researcher, Dr. Annalee Yassi, found health care worker infection rates were similar to those of the general population, even in the face of more transmissible COVID-19 variants of concern.  

The Vancouver Coastal Health Research Institute (VCHRI) administrative office will be closed on September 30 in observance of the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation. The day is designated as an opportunity to 'recognize and commemorate the legacy of residential schools'.

Changes in treatment approaches for people with severe asthma have ushered in a new era for this patient population, and one that could see decreased negative side effects from long-term oral corticosteroid (OCS) use, according to research led by Vancouver Coastal Health Research Institute investigator Dr. Mohsen Sadatsafavi.

“I hope that these results will encourage policymakers to continue to work towards further reducing maintenance OCS use, and for other researchers to pursue additional studies to monitor the use and impact of medications such as biologics.”

Particles from diesel exhaust worsened allergic reactions to ragweed, according to the results of a study led by Vancouver Coastal Health Research Institute (VCHRI) researcher Dr. Chris Carlsten. The first-of-its-kind study also demonstrated the effectiveness of the fexofenadine hydrochloride medication against symptoms of allergic rhinitis. 

Vancouver Coastal Health Research Institute (VCHRI) is proud to support tomorrow’s research leaders with the Top Graduating Doctoral Student Award and the Rising Star Award. These awards recognize outstanding efforts by VCHRI research trainees in research excellence, service as role models, and other contributions to the Vancouver Coastal Health research community. 

The 2021 Top Graduating Doctoral Student award recipients are: