The Social Determinants of Health in Neuroscience Interdisciplinary TeamsÌýwill develop guidance on integrating the Social Determinants of Health (SDoH) into specific areas of neuroscience research primarily carried out in human participants. Interdisciplinary teams will:Ìý
- Develop specific advice on how to appropriately integrate the SDoH into one particular area of neuroscience per team;
- Develop guidance that is multi-tiered, providing users with a sliding scale of options for SDoH integration to facilitate uptake (e.g., bronze, silver and gold levels of SDoH integration);
- Work collaboratively with other funded teams and the Umbrella Team to share knowledge and ensure complementarity across guidance materials being produced.
The duration of each grant will be one year (non-renewable) from June 1, 2024 to May 31, 2025.Ìý
Funded Interdisciplinary Teams
Funded Projects Summaries
Harnessing Social Determinants of Health in Digital Phenotyping
Co-leads:ÌýDavid Benrimoh, ±«ÓãÖ±²¥; Jai Shah, ±«ÓãÖ±²¥
Co-investigators: Laurence Kirmayer, ±«ÓãÖ±²¥; Sara Jalali, Douglas Research Center; Deven Parekh, Douglas Research Center
Summary: A significant challenge in mental healthcare is collecting the right information to make good care decisions. Until recently, this information has been obtained through clinical interviews, which only capture snapshots of a patient’s life. Digital phenotyping- using digital sensors to track behavior and provide more complete information about function in the real world- is a new way to provide real-time data that can guide care. To best use this technology, it will be important to understand how the meaning of these measures change based on people’s socioeconomic and cultural circumstances. For example, the interpretation of an activity measure might change based on whether or not someone with depression can afford food delivery. We will use literature review, and interviews with and data from a diverse set of patients, to develop guidelines for collecting and interpreting digital data in a way that benefits from understanding social determinants of health.
HBHL Research Theme: 1
AmountÌýreceived: $85,000
Tracking social determinants of health in lifespan neuroimaging among diverse populations
Co-leads: Boris Bernhardt, ±«ÓãÖ±²¥; Robert-Paul Juster,ÌýUniversité de Montréal
Co-investigators: Anna MacKinnon, Université de Montréal
Summary: Social determinants of health (SDOH) play key roles in brain organization, development, and cognition. Ultimately, SDOH shape health and well-being throughout life. To date, SDOH factors are still largely neglected in neuroimaging studies. Capitalizing on HBHL pilot projects, we propose to track SDOH within three ongoing neuroimaging initiatives across the lifespan: (1) during the perinatal period on early childhood brain development, (2) during neurotypical and atypical brain development among older children and adults, and (3) during emerging adulthood into old age among sexual and gender diverse people. We hypothesize a marked effect of SDOH in the three initiatives. Within the HBHL network, we will collectively refine SDOH measurement across the lifespan with sex and gender as well as EDI considerations adapted for neuroscience. Our team includes experts in SDOH, developmental neuroscience, physiology, neuroimaging, and connectomics. Data and methods will be openly shared for rapid adoption, reproducibility, and broad impact.
HBHL Research Theme: 1,4
Amount received: $100,000
Developing guidance for representative recruitment and the integration of social determinants of health in research on aging and Alzheimer’s disease
Co-leads:ÌýMaiya Geddes, ±«ÓãÖ±²¥;ÌýNancy Mayo, ±«ÓãÖ±²¥
Co-investigators:ÌýMartin Guhn, University of British Columbia; Laurence Kirmayer, ±«ÓãÖ±²¥; Sylvia Villeneuve, ±«ÓãÖ±²¥; Neil Andersson, ±«ÓãÖ±²¥; Pedro Rosa-Neto, ±«ÓãÖ±²¥
Summary: This project brings together a team of collaborators with diverse experiences and expertise in neuroscience, Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias (ADRD), and social determinants of health (SDoH). Our team will include researchers, clinicians, trainees, individuals with lived experience of ADRD, and diverse community leaders and partners including from Indigenous and minoritized groups. Together, we will develop guidance on diverse and representative participant recruitment in research on aging and ADRD. In addition, we will develop a framework for SDoH measurement relevant to age- and disease-related brain health outcomes. This battery will be pertinent to the Canadian context, include novel person-centered measures, and adopt a lifespan approach to aging by considering the influence of early life experiences. Finally, we will integrate this guidance and battery in two ±«ÓãÖ±²¥ longitudinal Open Science cohorts on aging, PREVENT-AD and TRIAD, to advance our understanding of the impact of SDoH on neurodegenerative disease risk and prevention.
HBHL Research Theme: 1,2
Funding Received: $89,400
Social Determinants of Health in Psychedelic Research: A Three-Phase Exploration of Barriers, Shaping of Reporting Guidelines, and Convening Experts for Consensus
Co-leads: Kyle Greenway, ±«ÓãÖ±²¥;ÌýMichael Lifshitz, ±«ÓãÖ±²¥
Co-investigators: Phoebe Friesen, ±«ÓãÖ±²¥; Ana Gomez-Carrillo, ±«ÓãÖ±²¥; Alexandre Lehmann, ±«ÓãÖ±²¥
Summary: The study of psychedelic substances is a new frontier in neuroscience. Social Determinants of Health play a critical role in psychedelic research and practice by shaping an individual’s mindset and the drug-taking environment. This impact is significant because psychedelic experiences are closely tied to an individual's personal developmental trajectory and broader social-structural context. Calls to improve data collection and reporting have been hindered by practical constraints and lack of structured guidelines. Our project aims to provide a practical/pragmatic roadmap for integrating Social Determinants of Health into psychedelic neuroscience. Our approach will include (i) an exploration of existing barriers and potential solutions in consultation with experts, (ii) a systematic evaluation of existing practices, and (iii) a convening of experts for consensus through a ‘Set and Setting’ conference (Spring, 2025). Anticipated outcomes include tiered (gold/silver/bronze) reporting of Social Determinants of Health in psychedelic research and a continuous learning system for researcher-clinician collaborations.
HBHL Research Theme: 1
AmountÌýreceived: $119,242
Social Determinants of Health in Pediatric Neuroimaging
Co-leads: Tasmia Hai, ±«ÓãÖ±²¥;ÌýJacob Burack, ±«ÓãÖ±²¥
Co-investigators: Rachel Kronick, ±«ÓãÖ±²¥; Laurence Kirmayer, ±«ÓãÖ±²¥
Summary: Child development, especially among Indigenous and racialized communities, is heavily influenced by social determinants of health (SDH) like poverty, racism, and family stressors. These factors can impact a child's well-being, leading to increased hospitalizations, poorer health, and barriers to accessing primary care. Neuroimaging studies have shown how poverty and discrimination affect brain development, highlighting the need to address these issues in research. Our project aims to fill this gap by examining how SDH influence brain development in pediatric populations. We will conduct a literature review, develop guidelines for researchers, and conduct a pilot study with Indigenous and racialized youth. By integrating SDH considerations into neuroimaging research, we hope to improve outcomes and promote health equity for all children, acknowledging cultural diversity for more effective healthcare practices.
HBHL Research Theme: 1,4
Funding Received: $90,986
Towards a better integration of social determinants of health in the measurement of cognition in aging
Co-leads:ÌýMaxime Montembeault, ±«ÓãÖ±²¥;ÌýAnnette Leibing, Université de Montréal
Co-investigators:ÌýMachelle Wichelsky, ±«ÓãÖ±²¥; Isabelle Royal, CIUSSS Ouest-de-l’Île-de-Montréal
Summary: Our project aims to enhance the accuracy and fairness of cognitive assessments in older adults by integrating social determinants of health (SDoH) into neuropsychological evaluations. While age, sex/gender, and education are commonly considered in cognitive testing, other SDoH such as language, occupation, psychosocial stress and economic status are often overlooked. By conducting a systematic review, interviewing clinicians and patients, and developing comprehensive guidance, we seek to address this gap. Our approach will provide clinicians with a better understanding of their patients' life experiences and how SDoH impacts their cognitive health. Ultimately, this project aims to improve early detection of cognitive impairments, promote equitable healthcare outcomes, and support the well-being of older adults.
HBHL Research Theme: 1,2
Funding Received: $74,880
The role of social determinants of health in the neuroscience and progression of psychotic illness: From mobilizing knowledge to improving next-generation research
Co-leads: Jai Shah, ±«ÓãÖ±²¥;ÌýMartin Lepage, ±«ÓãÖ±²¥
Co-investigators:ÌýDavid Benrimoh, ±«ÓãÖ±²¥; Geneviève Sauvé, Douglas Research Centre; Mallar Chakravarty, ±«ÓãÖ±²¥; Jean-Baptiste Poline, ±«ÓãÖ±²¥; Srividya Iyer, ±«ÓãÖ±²¥; Laurence Kirmayer, ±«ÓãÖ±²¥; Amal Abdel-Baki, CHUM
Summary: Through a comprehensive set of literature searches, this project will identify the role of social determinants of health in the progression of psychosis, especially during the earliest stages of illness when treatment can be most effective. We will have a particular focus on how social determinants relate to the evolution of early brain changes as measured by three key neuroscience technologies: neuroimaging, electroencephalography, and neurocognition. Working together with the umbrella grant and stakeholder advisory groups, we will translate this knowledge into guidance and recommendation geared towards researchers interested in future data collection, how to analyze datasets, and how to ensure that their research samples include populations with relevant social determinants.
HBHL Research Theme: 1
Funding Received: $90,000
