Quantifying and Combatting the Sexually Dimorphic Risks and Outcomes of Tobacco Dependency in Downtown Ottawa: A Mixed Methods Community-Based Participatory Action Research Project (SDRTT-Ottawa)

Smoking and all other forms of tobacco exposure are known to cause extremely detrimental health effects. It is the leading cause of preventable morbidity and mortality worldwide, and quitting smoking can increase life expectancy by as much 10 years. Tobacco is associated with poor reproductive health outcomes, cardiovascular disease, lung cancer, diabetes, blindness, and much more. It is lesser commonly known that tobacco affects male and female differently. There are chemicals in cigarettes such as bisphenol-As or phthalate esters that can increase the risk of estrogen dependent diseases such as breast or ovarian cancer.
Furthermore, the population that is most at risk for developing tobacco dependency involve those who are underprivileged and underserviced, and struggle with housing and food security. Within the community, male and female are predisposed to different risks in the context of acquiring tobacco dependency, and the associated health outcomes.
Therefore, this study aims to quantify the sexually dimorphic health risks of tobacco through the analysis of previous data, as well as work with community members to identify and ameliorate sex-specific risk factors for those in downtown Ottawa.

Faculty Supervisor:

Smita Pakhale

Student:

Partner:

Ottawa Hospital Research Institute

Discipline:

Life Sciences

Sector:

Health and Related Sciences & Technology; Professional, scientific and technical services

University:

University of Ottawa

Program: