title: An integrated exploration into the social and environmental determinants of health: the Saskatchewan Population Health and Evaluation Research Unit (SPHERU).
abstract: The Saskatchewan Population Health and Evaluation Research Unit (SPHERU) is a new interdisciplinary research institute established by the Universities of Saskatchewan and Regina. SPHERU developed four of its research programs using a hierarchic model of health determining conditions and contexts. In descending order these programs include:   Economic and Environmental Globalization, Governance and Health   Community/Environment as a Health Determinant   Multiple Roles, Gender and Health   Determinants of Healthy Childhood Development A fifth program researching the determinants of health of indigenous peoples spans all four levels. Two research projects, one on power, control and health, and another on community capacity building approaches to human service programs, assist SPHERU in developing the theoretical linkages between its programs. This article describes SPHERU's research model and the Unit's approach to research and summarizes each of its current research programs and projects.
authors.affiliation: Community Health and Epidemiology, University of Saskatchewan, 107 Wiggins Road, Saskatoon, Saskatchwan, Canada S7N 5E5. ronald.labonte@usask.ca
authors.forename: Ronald
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Labonte
authors.forename: Nazeem
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Muhajarine
authors.forename: Sylvia
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Abonyi
authors.forename: Georgia Bell
authors.initials: GB
authors.lastname: Woodard
authors.forename: Bonnie
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Jeffery
authors.forename: George
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Maslany
authors.forename: Michael
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: McCubbin
authors.forename: Allison
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Williams
mesh_terms: D002170:Canada; D004777:Environment; D005006:Ethnicity; D005260:Female; D006297:Health Services Accessibility; D006305:Health Status Indicators; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D012106:Research / Q000191:economics / Q000458:organization & administration; D012107:Research Design; D012525:Saskatchewan; D012737:Sex Factors; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D014495:Universities / Q000458:organization & administration