An investment by the Harper Government in innovative software will help Canadians, their families and their medical teams gain quick access to all their health records using cloud-based tools. The Connected Health and Wellness Project, announced today by the Honourable Gary Goodyear, Minister of State for the Federal Economic Development Agency for Southern Ontario (FedDev Ontario) and Mark Adler, Member of Parliament for York Centre, is a collaborative project led by a partnership of York University, NexJ Systems and McMaster University.
"Our Government is committed to helping personalize health care for Canadians," said Minister Goodyear. "Our investment will bring integrated health and wellness solutions to market that will provide Canadians with new solutions to better manage their own health using innovative technology developed in our region."
The Connected Health and Wellness Project is a technology platform containing an integrated suite of compatible technologies and apps designed to improve the health of Canadians. This project will allow patients to access and share their health records with their family, friends and care teams, including a health coach, to collaboratively manage their health and wellness. This technology will also allow hospitals, physicians and other healthcare professionals to access and update this information on an ongoing basis.
For example, patients with diabetes will be able to track their biometric measurements, such as meals and exercise, using smartphones and share this information easily with their medical teams.
"Our Government is proud to support industry-research partnerships in southern Ontario that will strengthen the Canadian health system," said MP Adler. "This project will benefit Canadians by improving patient treatment through personalized health services and more efficient use of medical resources."
FedDev Ontario's contribution of up to $15,549,290 through the Technology Development Program will enable the Connected Health and Wellness Project to bring together 16 private sector, academic and not-for-profit partners. In addition to federal funding, this project has leveraged more than $23 million in private-sector investments.
This investment is creating the conditions to make southern Ontario's businesses and not-for-profit institutions global leaders in the development and delivery of integrated electronic healthcare software. It is also positioning the region as a leader in advancing health coaching, which is intended to help Canada and other countries around the world find new ways to decrease healthcare costs.
"York University is proud to partner with the Government of Canada, industry, academic and healthcare providers to deliver a new people-centred, technology-enabled health and wellness model," says Mamdouh Shoukri, president and vice-chancellor of York University. "York's creation of a training program and professional standards for the new health coach profession is a first in Canada to combine multiple skill sets in health promotion, disease prevention and behaviour change that highlight York's breadth and depth in health expertise."
For more information on this project or the Technology Development Program, please refer to the backgrounder.
Created in 2009, FedDev Ontario supports the southern Ontario economy by building on the region's strengths and creating opportunities for jobs and economic growth. The Agency has launched a number of initiatives to create a Southern Ontario Advantage and place the region in a strong position to compete in the global economy. These initiatives are designed to encourage partnerships and support projects that help the region's businesses and communities become more competitive, innovative and diversified. To learn more, please visit www.FedDevOntario.gc.ca or call 1-866-593-5505.
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