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What’s New With the OHS?

Since 2010, the Ontario Health Study (OHS) has been working hard to build a platform for chronic disease research. Working together with the research community and Ontarians across the province we are now following the health of about 225,000 people and have collected more than 40,000 blood samples. We’re building a database of health information and a biobank so researchers can better understand the link between genetics, lifestyle and environment—and the role they play in our health.

In this section, you’ll find information about the various Study activities and upcoming initiatives.

Blood tubes in the laboratory centrifuge

The Effect of COVID-19 on Cancer Patients and Survivors

Mar 26, 2021 // Study Updates

  Cancer patients and survivors perceive a high risk of being harmed by COVID-19 and were more likely to adopt preventive measures; they were less likely to contract the virus, perhaps as a result. The pandemic has presented the healthcare delivery system with unprecedented challenges, profoundly affecting cancer patients, and has catalyzed the rapid adoption

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What makes our blood age well?

Mar 17, 2021 // Study Updates

Our blood gets older, just like every other part of our body. But why is it that some people’s blood seem to age better than others? Questionnaire data and blood samples from some OHS participants are being used to look for answers as to what characterizes ‘healthy blood.’ Toronto PhD candidate Elyssa Bader created this

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Coming soon – OHS seeks a blood sample

Feb 19, 2021 // Study Updates

This spring the OHS will reach out to 12,000 participants, asking them to use a home blood kit to provide a few tiny drops of blood onto a lab card, and mail it back. Our lab will test the dried blood spots for COVID-19 antibodies, which indicate a past exposure to the virus, or having

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