Dr. Aleck Ostry

2007 Career Investigator Award, Senior Scholar

Social determinants of rural and northern community health|,|

The integrity of a community’s social fabric, commonly referred to as “social capital”, is increasingly viewed as one of the primary factors in determining health status at both the individual and community level. Despite the fact that communities in BC are continually facing structural change due to the effects of globalization, industrial restructuring and changes in health and welfare systems, to date, little research has been conducted on "social capital" in BC.

Building on the foundation of over a decade of work investigating social determinants of health, including his work as a MSFHR scholar, Dr. Aleck Ostry is now researching how structural and industrial changes, and changes in health and welfare systems in Rural and Northern communities in BC, affect social capital and the health and wellbeing of its residents. Using both qualitative and quantitative methods, this research program will develop a more conceptually and methodologically-focused comprehensive model of social capital to be used at the community level for research on health in BC.

Ultimately, the development of a more comprehensive and specific social capital instrument will prove beneficial for investigating the linkages between structural changes in communities and health outcomes among residents and developing strategies for resolving, or mitigating long-term effects. Ostry’s research will further methodological developments in community health research while strengthening the base for community health research at both a local and international level.

Read Dr. Ostry's 2002 Scholar profile

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