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What’s New With the OHS?

Since 2010, the Ontario Health Study (OHS) has been working hard to build a platform for chronic disease research. Working together with the research community and Ontarians across the province we are now following the health of about 225,000 people and have collected more than 40,000 blood samples. We’re building a database of health information and a biobank so researchers can better understand the link between genetics, lifestyle and environment—and the role they play in our health.

In this section, you’ll find information about the various Study activities and upcoming initiatives.

Blood tubes in the laboratory centrifuge

OHS participants contributed to research on Endocrine Disrupting Chemicals (EDCs) – Video presentation

Feb 27, 2026 // Study Updates

 Data from more than 9,000 OHS participants were used in a recent study looking at how workplace exposure to endocrine disrupting chemicals* (EDCs) can impact cancer risk. High doses of EDCs can disrupt sex hormones, such as estrogens and testosterone, and this exposure can play a role in the development of certain cancers.  

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OHS joins Ontario Biobanks

Nov 11, 2025 // Study Updates

If your research project needs biosamples from the Ontario Health study, we will get you the blood, urine, or DNA samples you need in a timely fashion. If we don’t have what you need, we will plug you into a new network of provincial biorepositories. The OHS is a founding member of Ontario Biobanks, a

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Cancer blood test prototype could one day be a game-changer

Nov 10, 2025 // Study Updates

Imagine if a simple blood test could check for early signs of cancer – for several common cancers all at the same time. If that test came back positive for one or more, imagine the benefit if you could start treatment at a much earlier, easier-to-treat stage of the disease. And, zooming out: calculate the

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