AIRWISE – A risk communication strategy for the prevention and early detection of respiratory illness

Co-lead: 

  • Renelle Myers 
    BC Cancer

Team members: 

  • Aleisha Fernandes
    SFU
  • Prabjit Barn
    Legacy for Airway Health
  • Stephen Lamb
    UBC, BC Cancer
  • Mohsen Sadatsafi
    RESP, UBC
  • Christopher Carlsten 
    UBC
  • Rita McCracken 
    UBC, PHC
  • Kevin Keen
    UNBC
  • Anne-Marie Nicol
    SFU, BCCDC
  • Milan Khara
    UBC, VCH
  • Pat Camp 
    UBC, HLI, PHC

Respiratory illnesses, such as asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, and lung cancer account for the leading causes of preventable deaths in British Columbia. Scientists can now identify people who are at a high risk of developing these devastating illnesses early on when it is possible to prevent, cure or slow the progression of disease. Prevention and early detection programs, however, don’t reach all members of the population equally. In addition, environmental radon and air pollution increase the risk of developing respiratory illnesses for people living in some areas of the province. This study is motivated by the need to expand the reach of prevention and early detection programs through risk communication. Our experienced team of researchers, community stakeholders, trainees, and knowledge translation specialists will define the risk information that is needed for future research and for communicating in clinical and community-based settings. Together, we will convene an advisory committee to design the first version of the AIRWISE risk communication platform and establish community coalitions to evaluate and implement it.