The Lung Association funds new researcher to study asthma in children

The Lung Association funds new researcher to study asthma in children

Saskatoon, July 4 – There is no question that research is our greatest defense against lung disease, as well as our greatest tool to save lives. That is why the Lung Association of Saskatchewan annually invests in innovative, cutting-edge research that takes place right here in our province. “We are absolutely delighted that Dr. Josh Lawson is the recipient of a 5-year New Investigator Award co-funded by the Lung Association and the Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR),” says Dr. Brian Graham, the Lung Association’s President and CEO. “As Canada's major health research funding agency, CIHR is committed to promoting health research that meets the highest standards of excellence and ethics and Dr. Lawson is a worthy candidate.”

The Lung Association of Saskatchewan and CIHR have jointly committed $60,000/year for five years for Dr. Lawson to conduct health research among children in Saskatchewan.  “Two understudied populations with regard to asthma are rural dwellers and Aboriginal persons and I am grateful to both CIHR and the Lung Association for providing the resources to investigate the prevalence and severity of asthma among children in these populations,” states Dr. Lawson. “The indoor environment, including tobacco smoke and home mould, plays a role in asthma development but the contribution of obesity, health behaviours, and environmental exposures has been studied less frequently,” he adds.

What is asthma?

Asthma is a chronic (long-term) disease that makes it hard to breathe.  Asthma can’t be cured, but it can be managed. With proper treatment, people with asthma can lead normal, active lives. Saskatchewan statistics indicate that 100,000 of our residents, including 35,000 children, have asthma. Dr. Lawson’s research will help focus initiatives to prevent asthma and reduce asthma morbidity, resulting in better quality of life for children with asthma and lower health care costs in Saskatchewan and across Canada.

Dr. Lawson is currently an Assistant Professor at the Canadian Centre for Health and Safety in Agriculture (CCHSA), located at the University of Saskatchewan and the Program Chair for the Saskatchewan Thoracic Society.  The CCHSA conducts and stimulates research, education, and health promotion programs aimed at enhancing the health and well-being of agricultural, rural and remote populations. “In 1986 the Lung Association of Saskatchewan provided seed money in the amount of $25,000/year over a five-year period to help establish the CCHSA,” recalls Dr. John Gordon, CCHSA’s Director.  “Since its inception, millions of dollars have been directed to research funding related to Saskatchewan and Canadian agriculture, with significant contributions being made to our understanding of agricultural factors affecting lung health.”

Learn more about the Canadian Institutes of Health Research

Learn more about the Canadian Centre for Health and Safety in Agriculture

Learn more about asthma

Learn more about Dr. Josh Lawson, PhD

About the Lung Association

Established in 1911, The Lung Association is celebrating 100 years of service to the people of Saskatchewan.  We are Saskatchewan’s oldest health charity. You have come to know and trust The Lung Association as the premier source for lung health in our province. All of our quality educational materials, programs, services and treatment guidelines are based on current evidence-based research. You will find The Lung Association active in communities across Saskatchewan conducting lung disease prevention and management programs that include asthma, COPD, sleep apnea, lung cancer and smoking cessation. The Lung Association also provides training for health care professionals, delivers health education in schools, facilitates patient support groups, and lobbies for clean air.

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Brian Graham, President & CEO
Lung Association of Saskatchewan
(306) 343-9511 or 1-888-566-LUNG
brian.graham@sk.lung.ca