Review of the Institute of Human Development, Child and Youth Health

About the Review

The review of the Institute of Human Development, Child and Youth Health (IHDCYH) assessed the relevance and performance of the Institute to support CIHR's Governing Council's responsibilities regarding the role and functioning of the Institute, and meet requirements of the Policy on Results. The review was completed by CIHR in 2018-19 and overseen by an independent panel of experts in the Institute's mandate areas (IHDCYH Review Panel) who reviewed and interpreted the findings and made the final recommendations.

What is an Institute?

CIHR currently integrates research through a unique interdisciplinary structure made up of 13 "virtual" institutes. CIHR's Institutes bring together researchers, health professionals and policy-makers from voluntary health organizations, provincial government agencies, international research organizations and industry and patient groups from across the country to focus on important health problems. The Institute's virtual structure encourages partnership and collaboration across sectors, disciplines and regions. Each Institute is dedicated to a specific area of focus, linking and supporting researchers pursuing common goals.

About IHDCYH

IHDCYH's mandate is to support research to enhance maternal, child, and youth health and to address causes, prevention, screening, diagnosis, treatment, short- and long-term support needs, and palliation for a wide range of health concerns associated with reproduction, early development, childhood, and adolescence.

Results and Recommendations

The Panel concludes that the mandate would benefit from an update reflecting the shift towards a life-cycle approach and an emphasis on prevention. The Panel observes the need to increase awareness of how CIHR supports interdisciplinary research and improve peer review culture.

The Panel recognizes the current SD's strong ability to engage, collaborate, and partner with a wide range of stakeholders. An important area for the next SD and Institute should be to advocate for the life-cycle approach and child health research within CIHR and with other Institutes.

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