ABOUT CCHHS
Survey Overview
The Champlain Community Heart Health Study (CCHHS) is a community-based survey designed to collect key information relevant to the heart health of the residents of the Champlain District. Participation will provide valuable information that will help us evaluate the extent of health problems associated with major health concerns such as heart disease, high blood pressure, diabetes and obesity in the communities of the Champlain District.
The long-term nature of this study will allow for examining emerging trends in these important diseases and assisting policy makers, health departments, and health professionals address the health needs of the residents of Champlain District via support for program and intervention planning. Specifically, questionnaires will be used to collect information at the community, family and individual level, including demographics, psycho-social, health history, access to health services and overall lifestyles. We will also collect direct physical measurements including blood pressure, height and weight, waist to hip ratio, assessment of body fat, breathing test, blood and urine samples. This is a long-term study, in which the participants will be followed on a yearly basis for up to 12 years. The follow up will involve completion of a brief telephone questionnaire on a yearly basis and occasional (possibly at 3, 6, 9, and 12 years) visits to the clinic for collection of physical measurements. The overall aim is to develop a state of the art surveillance system capable of providing timely and ongoing information to support evidence-based decisions around CVD prevention and management activities within the Champlain District.
The standardized data collection methodology that will be used in this population survey has been developed and successfully utilized by PURE - an international long-term study currently underway and aiming to recruit 140,000 individuals from urban and rural communities in 15 different countries, including Hamilton, Laval, Vancouver, and the Champlain District within Canada. From the Champlain District, we are planning to enroll a total of 3000 individuals: approximately 1500 residing in urban communities and 1500 in rural communities.
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Ethics
The Human Research Ethics Board (HREB) of the University of Ottawa Heart Institute has approved this protocol. The HREB considers the ethical aspects of all Heart Institute research projects involving human subjects.
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Participation
Please remember, participation in the CCHHS will make a significant contribution to our understanding of the heart health status of individuals and communities within the Champlain District, and help ensure that programs are responsive to the health needs identified.
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