April 26, 2024
Celebrate innovation in child health and wellness with UCalgary
Creating Tomorrow event May 8 provides opportunity to engage with experts
There is no doubt thatchild health and wellness is amajor concern for Canadians, but what are we doing toimproveit?
Environmental exposure,chronic conditions, and stresses during early life have lifelong and sometimes multigenerational consequences.Research in child health and well-being has the power to transform the future for children,families and communities.
In 2020, ranked Canada 30th out of 38 wealthy countries in child health and wellness. Amidst this sobering reality, the upcoming eventhosted by the ɫ,,emerges to explore how experts are aiming to improvethisfieldacross Canada.
Celebrating the one-year anniversary of the launch of ɫ , this event offers attendees a unique opportunity to engage with experts actively involved in projects aimed at enhancing child health and creating life-changing impact. Guests can expect to hear from a panel of experts, including; Dr. François Bernier, MD, director of the Alberta Children’s Hospital Research Institute (ACHRI) and project lead of OCEC, Joanne Weninger, executive director of ACHRI and OCEC, Dr. Michael Hart, PhD, vice-provost (Indigenous engagement) and Indigenous lead of OCEC, Mike Begin, Board vice-chair, Alberta Children’s Hospital Foundation, Kate Wong, BN’12, president and chair of UCalgary Alumni Association, and Jeryn Edwards, a local mother of two.
There are many more UCalgary researchers dedicated to creating a better tomorrow for all children, one of whom is Dr. Melanie Noel, PhD, a registered clinical psychologist in the , whose research and advocacy efforts are reshaping the landscape in child health.
Understanding child health and wellness
The work done byNoel,a professoratUCalgary and director ofPEAK (),delvesinto paediatric pain and how children’s pain experiences areaffected by sociocultural influences.
“I work with people around the world, including clinicians, diverse researchers, trainees—and,importantly, people with lived experience —to really understand why pain becomes a problem for some people early in childhood,” says Noel,whoalsoholds theinaugural Killam Memorial Emerging Leader Chair.
Her studies span acute and chronic pain in various populations, ranging from painful medical procedures to chronic pain conditions. Noel aims to unravel the dynamics of pain experiences in childhood, with an emphasis on the powerful role of parentsand societyin shaping children's pain trajectories across their lifespan.
By investigating diversefacets of pain experiences, Noel seeks to empower children and families by fostering resilience and mitigating the transition to chronic pain, which affectsone in fiveyouth worldwide.
The power of partnerships and community engagement
Beyond her scholarly pursuits, Noel is deeply committed to advocacy and community engagement. She believesmeaningful change can only occur through collective action andpartnerships.
She says partnerships and community engagementareabsolutely essential.“Change only happens when we are not only informed, but moved, and when we are working collectively,” she says.“That's the only way that we can create a movement.”
Noel highlights the importance ofcommunity connectionand collective action in driving meaningful change.Amplifying voices andleveragingpartnerships are necessary to address systemic barriers that inhibit child health and wellness.
"That's the beauty of these partnerships,how we can amplify each other," she says. By working collaboratively, Noel aims to tackle the"grossly greater barrier" experienced by individuals who face structural inequities.
The influence of lived experience
Noel’s partners include organizations such as the and, as well as people with lived experience.
This includesNoelherself, assheemphasizes the impact of herownpersonal experiences, particularly asasinglemother of triplets, on her research.Noelreflects on how becoming a parent, particularly of children who are neurodiverse and live with pain and chronic illness,has heightened her awareness ofbarriers and struggles within the health-care system, fuelling her empathy and driving her research interests.
"When I was training, science was supposed to be something that was entirely objective...but that all went out the door when I became a mother," Noelsays. This shift in perspective has led her to listen to people with different lived experiences more attentively and empathetically, she says.
Importance ofsocialjustice andcompassion
Driven by a commitment to social justice, Noel's research extends beyond clinical settings to address societal problems facing communities.
"I'm studying why, when and for whom empathy fails, and how we can change society to be more compassionate," says Noel. This perspective underscores herholistic approach to child health and wellness, which extends beyond medical interventions to encompass broader societal transformations and community care.
“We're increasingly interested in advocacy and understanding why pain disparitiesexist,” says Noel. “People are left out ofnot only research, but receiving pain care, which is a fundamental human right. Andso we are really devoted to understanding those structuralandsocietal factors and really integrating intersectional, anti-racist, anti-ableist lenses in our work.”
Creating Tomorrow
Reflecting on the upcoming Creating Tomorrow event,Noel expresses enthusiasm and optimism. She sees the event as a meaningful opportunity to engage with individuals who share a genuine concern for the well-being of children and families, and she is excited to be in attendance.
Noel hopes that the event will encourage participants to take tangible action. She envisions a future where partnerships are woven into the fabric of communities, fostering a collective commitment to advocacy and transformative change.
"We're going to be stirred, moved, inspired and motivated to join forces,” Noel says.
All Kids Thriving: A Vision for Child Health and Wellness
At UCalgary, we’re taking the lead in transforming child health. Join us May 8 for our second event in the Creating Tomorrow series where we will explore the relationships, partnerships and people involved in improving child health and wellness in Canada. This family-friendly event features a traditional round dance and storytelling, and offers the opportunity for everyone to share ɫ pride in advances that will make Canadian kids the healthiest in the world. .
Related content
Sign up for UToday
Delivered to your inbox— a daily roundup of news and events from across the ɫ's 14 faculties and dozens of units
Thank you for your submission.
Collection of personal information
Your personal information is collected under the authority of
section 33(c) of the Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act, and is required for updating your
email subscription preferences. If you have any questions about the collection or use of this information,
please visit our Access to Information page.