Health sciences professor to lead national gender and health research institute

Simon Fraser University distinguished professor Angela Kaida, a leader in global health epidemiology, will take on a new role in January as scientific director of the Canadian Institutes of Health Research Institute of Gender and Health. During her four-year term she will oversee the development and advancement of research and training initiatives that address gender and health research priorities in Canada. Kaida's extensive involvement with community-based research and knowledge translation strategies has led her to confront health inequities and transform health research practice and services for women and youth affected by HIV in Canada and HIV endemic countries. -We are in an exciting time for gender, sex, and health science, and I am deeply honoured to help shape the Canadian health research vision and response,- says Kaida, who holds the Canada Research Chair in Global Perspectives on HIV and Sexual and Reproductive Health in SFU-s Faculty of Health Sciences. -In my experience with community-engaged research, embracing a sex and gender-based analysis+ (SGBA+) approach, inclusive of racial identity and experience, gender diversity, sexual orientation, and other intersecting identities offers tremendous potential for sophisticated and necessary learnings about how to improve health for all. Kaida leads a global research program focusing on factors and environments that increase vulnerability and protection of sexual and reproductive health, in the context of HIV. Through her close work with community leaders and decision makers she has overseen the integration of research evidence into health policy and programming, with special attention to social and gender equity.