Research Themes

Childhood Diseases includes Groups that are focused on studying childhood diseases and disorders. There is a specific focus on understanding mechanisms of health versus disease, as well as identifying and testing new diagnostic and therapeutic approaches.

We bring together neuroscience, mental health and child development researchers through basic, clinical, population and public health research. We care for children with complex medical, physical, developmental and mental health needs, and lead national initiatives such as Networks of Centres of Excellence. 

Our overarching goal is to keep children and families healthy and out of the hospital by preventing lifelong health challenges and chronic diseases that are rooted in early childhood. We are passionate about furthering research into how a child’s family life and environment impacts their health, shedding light on healthy childhood development before and after birth, and improving child health worldwide through innovation, advocacy, education and capacity building. 

We are health care innovators. Our team of clinicians and scientists are developing new health care technologies, improving patient care, advancing the safe and effective use of drugs, developing new methods of health data analytics, and shifting health system attitudes and behaviours to improve the health care and well-being of children and families. Together with the patients we serve, we are leading initiatives to inform health care policy and practice.