Health Research for Saskatchewan: New 2025-26 Align Grants Announced

An estimated 1 in 31 children are Autistic. Autistic persons have unique strengths and ways of communicating and learning. In Saskatchewan, over 3,000 children are awaiting an autism diagnosis; medical and mental health needs are common. Healthcare systems often don’t prioritize Neurodivergent voices, leading to caregiver burnout, misdiagnosis, and poor outcomes.

This project will create a Provincial Neurodivergent Advocacy Partnership, improving healthcare for Autistic and Neurodivergent individuals. Lived experience, health teams, and researchers will work together to define what neurodiversity-affirming care should look like in Saskatchewan. This project supports Canada’s Framework for Autism, and connects provincial systems with the National Autism Network.

By amplifying acceptance and support for Autistic individuals, we will encourage shifting to a more respectful understanding of the Neurodivergent experience. We will find out what matters most to those with lived experience in our province, laying the foundation for ongoing provincial community-led responsive systems of care.

A caregiver is a family member who regularly looks after another person in their circle such as a spouse or parent. Caregivers who look after a family member who living in a long-term care home (instead of in their own home) are more likely to be anxious, depressed, or stressed. They are also more likely to be very busy juggling many responsibilities. For example, an adult child might look after an aging parent living in a long-term care home as well as their own children while keeping a full-time job. These caregivers need mental health supports that are quick and easy to access yet effective.

We want to help these caregivers by offering a 45-minute single session online intervention to help them connect with the present moment and act in ways that are in line with their values. We hope that this intervention will improve caregivers' mental health.

Urinary incontinence is a common, often distressing side effect for prostate cancer patients post-treatment. This research seeks to predict the most effective treatment options for these patients by applying machine learning models to clinical and demographic data. Our aim is to identify patterns and correlations that inform treatment choices. Models will analyze how each variable influences treatment outcomes, helping to reduce uncertainty and the need for trial and error in selecting treatments. Building a dataset from existing patient records we will test three models—decision trees, random forests, and deep learning—and determine what are the key factors influencing treatment options and evaluate their predictive performance based on these key factors.

Ultimately, this study aims to improve treatment accuracy and personalize care for patients experiencing urinary incontinence following prostate cancer, enhancing both patient outcomes and clinical decision-making.

Domestic violence is a significant public health issue impacting individuals from diverse backgrounds. It encompasses physical, emotional, sexual, and financial abuse, with physical abuse frequently resulting in severe injuries to the head, face, and mouth. Although dental professionals can observe clear signs of abuse, they face challenges to identify and report suspected cases.

This study aims to create clear guidelines to help dental professionals identify, document, approach, and respond to domestic violence. By collaborating with experts in healthcare, psychology, social work, legal experts, and people with lived experience of domestic violence, we will develop a protocol to equip dental professionals with the tools to support victims effectively.

The findings will be shared through accessible educational materials for dental professionals across Saskatchewan and beyond. By enhancing dental professionals' ability to respond appropriately when they suspect domestic violence, this project aims to improve outcomes for victims and promote better public health overall.

We aim to explore how nursing faculty can work with individuals from diverse backgrounds to ensure that the curriculum reflects the wide range of patient experiences. By doing so, nursing students will be better prepared to provide culturally competent and compassionate care.

We propose to identify areas within the current Saskatchewan undergraduate nursing curriculum where such collaboration would be most beneficial and feasible. Seeking to understand the resources required and the barriers that may hinder the effective integration of patient partners into efforts to support EDI and reconciliation concepts.

Through interviews and discussions with nursing faculty, the project will develop strategies for enhancing the meaningful inclusion of diverse voices in the Saskatchewan nursing curriculum, building on current strengths and addressing identified gaps. The findings will help create a framework for future curriculum changes, ultimately shaping the next generation of nurses to be better equipped to care for diverse community members.

Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer-related deaths in Canada, and chemotherapy remains a key treatment option. However, a common and painful side effect of chemotherapy is oral mucositis, which causes inflammation and painful ulcers in the mouth, making it difficult for patients to eat, drink, and continue treatment. In severe cases, chemotherapy may need to be paused, potentially worsening the patient’s prognosis. Significant local oral inflammation, such as from periodontal disease, may influence the severity of this painful side effect.

This study will investigate whether the levels of oral inflammatory load measured with a simple oral test can help predict the severity of oral mucositis in lung cancer patients. By tracking levels before and during chemotherapy, we aim to determine whether higher oral inflammatory load is linked to worse oral side effects. If proven to be a predictive factor, guidelines could be developed to reduce oral inflammatory load before treatment, potentially improving patient outcomes, preventing treatment interruptions, and enhancing the quality of life for those undergoing chemotherapy.

Diabetes affects nearly 1 in 10 Canadians and is a growing health and economic challenge. Managing diabetes is difficult due to its progressive nature and risk of serious complications such as heart disease and kidney failure. Traditional treatments include dietary changes and medications, but many patients still struggle to control their condition. A new approach combines 3D food printing, precision nutrition, and artificial intelligence (AI) to create personalized meals tailored to each diabetic person’s health needs. 3D printing can produce custom foods using safe, nutritious ingredients, while AI and sensors monitor the body’s responses in real time. This allows for meals to be dynamically adjusted to support better blood sugar control. Researchers at the University of Saskatchewan aim to explore this innovative system, bringing together experts in food science, medicine, and technology. Their goal is to improve diabetes care and support long-term health through smarter, more responsive nutrition.

The mental health of veterinarians—particularly those working in rural settings with large animals—is an underexplored but critical issue. Previous studies show high rates of depression, anxiety, burnout, and suicide among veterinarians. While research on veterinarian mental health largely focuses on urban, small-animal practitioners, little is known about rural veterinarians’ experiences, despite their vital role in agriculture. This project will build a framework for future support and identify key interventions to focus on moving forward as it investigates the mental health challenges of large rural animal veterinarians in Saskatchewan, who face unique pressures like long hours, isolation, and emergency work. By connecting to organizations who promote mental health, advocating for healthy workplaces for veterinarians, and this study will build capacity to apply for funding to later address key stressors leading to burnout and isolation, explore their coping methods, and identify barriers to seeking mental health support to enhance their well-being, job satisfaction, and retention.

Tuberculosis (TB) continues to affect First Nations communities in northern Saskatchewan at rates more than 20 times the national average, making it a significant health concern. This project seeks to collaborate with these communities and the Northern Inter-Tribal Health Authority to understand and address TB-related needs while promoting TB elimination efforts.

We will build relationships, review a decade of TB data, and host community engagement events to gather input from Elders, caregivers, and healthcare providers. Together, we will identify service gaps and co-develop a research roadmap that reflects community values, guided by Indigenous principles of ownership and cultural safety.

The results will support more effective, culturally appropriate TB programs and inform future research and policies aimed at improving TB care and prevention in First Nations communities.