Coalitions Linking Action & Science for Prevention (CLASP)
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Coalitions Linking Action & Science for Prevention (CLASP)

April 2012 marks the beginning of the Partnership’s second five-year mandate and the next phase of implementing Canada’s national cancer strategy. The priorities and initiatives for the next five years are outlined in our 2012-2017 strategic plan, Sustaining Action Toward a Shared Vision. Our website will soon be updated to reflect the activities supporting the strategic plan. The information below reflects the priorities and accomplishments of our work between 2007 and 2012.  

Collaborating to accelerate shared priorities

Evidence that could help prevent cancer and chronic disease emerges regularly through research. However, it can be difficult for public health practitioners and decision-makers to integrate lessons learned from science with lessons learned from policy and practice, especially given variations in jurisdictional priorities and the many organizations and agencies focusing on different chronic diseases.

The Partnership’s Coalitions Linking Action and Science for Prevention (CLASP) initiative brings together more than 60 health-care organizations to collaborate to improve the health of Canadians by preventing chronic disease. CLASP has funded seven distinct projects, listed below, that tackle different disease prevention priorities, including nutrition, physical activity, body weight, tobacco use, and environmental exposure to air pollution from automobiles. This co-ordinated approach accelerates action to reduce common risk factors by allowing for the exchange of knowledge and best practices, while complementing federal, provincial and territorial healthy living strategies.

Initial funding for CLASP was $12.5 million from the Partnership, $2.5 million from the Public Health Agency of Canada and $500,000 from the Heart and Stroke Foundation for a period of two and a half years ending in March 2012.

Progress to date:

  • Following a series of planning workshops in 2009 and a request for proposals that generated more than 40 submissions for CLASP funding, an adjudication panel, comprising 36 experts in research, practice and policy, selected seven CLASPs. The projects began in 2009/10.
  • Each of the seven CLASP projects has made progress:
    • A total of 785 patients are currently enrolled in the BETTER initiative.
    • The Health Empowerment for You curriculum for First Nations community health representatives has been completed and pilot tested in Saskatchewan and Manitoba.
    • Preliminary outcome data from two participating schools in the Children’s Mobility, Health and Happiness: A Canadian School Travel Planning Model initiative show an increase in cycling from zero to 7 per cent and an increase in walking from 50 to 60 per cent.
    • Learning modules have been developed for three First Nations communities in Northern Ontario that are participating in the Collaborative Action on Childhood Obesity initiative. These modules reintroduce traditional food sourcing and preparation. In addition, one band council is considering incorporating the program into the school curriculum.
    • Case studies for the Healthy Communities — An Approach to Action on Health Determinants in Canada initiative are underway in 16 communities. These cases analyze how different communities have addressed health issues and will serve as examples for other communities.
    • Data collection is underway for the Healthy Canada by Design initiative to explore the public’s preferences for where they live. The results will, in turn, inform a report with policy recommendations for healthy built environments.
    • A set of core indicators on tobacco use have been developed and disseminated to project partners in the Youth Excel initiative.
  • In September 2010, the Public Health Agency of Canada provided funding in addition to the $2.5 million it committed in 2009/10 to further CLASP stakeholder engagement in the territories.
  • Semi-annual knowledge exchange meetings have been held across provinces and territories for CLASPs to share knowledge and explore opportunities for further collaboration.

The seven CLASP projects are:

  • BETTER (Building on Existing Tools to Improve Chronic Disease Prevention in Family Practice): Aims to increase prevention and screening for heart disease, diabetes and cancer in primary care physicians’ offices in Alberta and Ontario. BETTER uses electronic medical records combined with office-based prevention facilitators to help doctors identify patients who could benefit from screening and to prescribe lifestyle changes, track results and follow up regularly.
  • Health Empowerment for You: Focuses on enhancing community-based health education to improve cancer and chronic disease prevention in First Nations populations.
  • Children’s Mobility, Health and Happiness: A Canadian School Travel Planning Model: Promotes healthier lifestyles in every province and territory by targeting the use of active modes of transportation to and from school and encourages supporting policies and practices.
  • Collaborative Action on Childhood Obesity: Aims to reverse the escalating trend in childhood obesity by decreasing unhealthy food choices in schools and improving the availability of healthy alternatives in British Columbia, Ontario, Quebec and the Northwest Territories.
  • Healthy Communities — An Approach to Action on Health Determinants in Canada: Evaluates and expands the effectiveness of the Healthy Community approach in British Columbia, Ontario, Quebec and New Brunswick. This movement brings together groups from diverse sectors to plan and implement strategies that enhance community well-being and address complex community issues.
  • Healthy Canada by Design: Examines and improves neighbourhood design and community planning as viewed through the lenses of health and chronic disease prevention with partnerships in British Columbia, Ontario and Quebec.
  • Youth Excel: Improves the health of Canada’s youth by building knowledge exchange capacity within provinces and territories. It creates collaboration opportunities among partner organizations in British Columbia, Alberta, Manitoba, Ontario, New Brunswick, Newfoundland and Labrador, and Prince Edward Island to assess and guide policies and programs focused on youth behaviour relating to physical activity, tobacco use and healthy eating.