An integrated exploration into the social and environmental determinants of health: the Saskatchewan Population Health and Evaluation Research Unit (SPHERU).
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.
Labonte
Ronald
R
Community Health and Epidemiology, University of Saskatchewan, 107 Wiggins Road, Saskatoon, Saskatchwan, Canada S7N 5E5. ronald.labonte@usask.ca
Muhajarine
Nazeem
N
Abonyi
Sylvia
S
Woodard
Georgia Bell
GB
Jeffery
Bonnie
B
Maslany
George
G
McCubbin
Michael
M
Williams
Allison
A
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