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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

Years-early detection of cancer markers possible through research using OHS samples

Nov 26, 2021 // Study Updates

Plasma samples from 330 OHS participants were used to demonstrate that certain markers in the blood could be used to predict cancers up to seven years before a doctor’s diagnosis. Nicholas Cheng, a PhD student in the Awadalla Lab at the Ontario Institute for Cancer Research, presented his research at the October 2021 American Society

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The Ontario Health Study Newsletter, July 2021

Jul 4, 2021 // OHS Newsletter

In this issue: Single shot of mRNA vaccine produces short term antibody levels 1.5 times greater than AstraZeneca, early results show From symptoms to severity, your COVID-19 questionnaire data are being used! Lab expected to analyze more than 8,000 blood spot samples for antibodies Whole genome sequencing will help researchers study disease development Cancer in

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Early results from CanPath’s national study confirm antibody levels are stronger after receiving two doses of COVID-19 vaccine

Jun 23, 2021 // Study Updates

Initial preliminary results from the Canadian Partnership for Tomorrow’s Health (CanPath) COVID-19 Antibody Study, based on close to 6,000 dried blood spot samples collected between February 8 and May 17, 2021, show a high degree of variability in the level of antibodies produced by a single dose of a COVID-19 vaccine. These findings highlight the importance of

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