Feds invest $6.7 million on research platform looking at impact of COVID-19 on youth

Canada launches major study on COVID-19 in kids The federal health minister came to Montreal to announce a national research project that will take place partly in Quebec.

The federal government is investing $6.7 million on a Canada-wide research platform to better understand the impact of COVID-19 on children.

Federal Health Minister Jean-Yves Duclos told reporters today in Montreal the platform will involve researchers at 16 Canadian institutions.

"This platform will support research teams in pediatric hospitals across the country and will facilitate the transfer and use of information to ensure better coordination of research results," said Duclos.

He said it will allow researchers in pediatric centres across the country to monitor COVID-19 infections, vaccination, and the social impact of the disease on children and youth.

The project will be led by Dr. Caroline Quach, a pediatric infectious diseases specialist at Montreal's Ste-Justine children's hospital.

The platform is called POPCORN, which stands for Pediatric Outcomes Improvement through Coordination of Research Networks.

Duclos said the POPCORN platform will also be used for researchers to share information about other pandemics or health-care emergencies.

- This article by The Canadian Press was first published on April 25, 2022