SDG 3: Good Health and Well‑being
Learn more about UN SDG 3 and take action
Health emergencies such as COVID-19 pose a global risk and have shown the critical need for preparedness. From world-leading vaccine research to the investigation of the social, cultural and environmental determinants of health and wellness, Dalhousie’s approach to health research is grounded in an understanding that the health of individuals, communities and populations are interconnected and interdependent.
High-impact research
Food as medicine
Ranked among the world’s top 2 per cent of researchers by the AD Scientific Index, Dr. Rupasinghe’s food bioactive research program is globally recognized for increasing understanding of dietary flavonoids in human health and the innovation of value-added food from cool climate fruits.
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Dal researchers design powerful tech to help fight deadly cancer
Researchers and students from Dalhousie’s School of Biomedical Engineering have pushed the boundaries in brain cancer treatment, designing the world’s first high-resolution endoscopic surgical and imaging probe. The 3mm-by-3mm device is inserted through a small keyhole created in the skull and allows surgeons to follow an exact path to the tumour so that it can be surgically removed.
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Dal postdoc wins Mitacs entrepreneurship award for world’s first at‑home test to measure muscle health
The ground-breaking technology behind Dr. Andrade’s fast-growing company Myomar Molecular Inc. identifies unique will equip medical practitioners and their patients with the information needed to predict the risk of musculoskeletal disease and improve quality of life by catching muscle loss early.
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Dal Dentistry launching clinical trials with ground‑breaking study on oral‑cancer prevention
In one of the Faculty of Dentistry’s first clinical trials, researchers will study whether a drug used to treat diabetes could prevent an oral cancer that affects people in Atlantic Canada at disproportionately higher rates.
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Dal psychiatry researcher discovers unique treatment for bipolar disorder
A Dalhousie researcher is making waves in the global medical community after a discovery that could help improve outcomes for people suffering from treatment-resistant bipolar depression.
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Dalhousie researchers discover existing drug can disrupt coronavirus replication
"One of the major outcomes of treating with this drug is it inhibits the ability of virus to make lots of spike proteins and incorporate them into new progeny or baby viruses, so the baby viruses that are made are spike-less and as a result cannot initiate infection," says Dr. McCormick, Department of Microbiology and Immunology.
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Exceptional student experience
Looking to bring a little wellness into your life? Dal’s got you covered
Dal’s 2023-2024 Group Wellness Sessions are divided into four different categories — mental health, professional development, book clubs, and holistic well-being — each of which offers its own unique lens on staying healthy.
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Dalhousie set to launch new physician assistant training program for Nova Scotia
The first of its kind in the Maritime provinces and only the fourth in the country, the Master of Physician Assistant Studies (MPAS) program will provide graduates with the competencies needed to provide compassionate, evidence-based care and significantly contribute to interprofessional health-care teams.
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High‑tech simulation transports students to scene of horrific explosion
Many months in the making, the workshop offered learners in their third year of medicine at Dalhousie’s Nova Scotia and New Brunswick campuses the opportunity to develop and practice skills associated with large-scale casualty and triage situations.
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Medical school curriculum refresh prepares students to meet ever‑changing healthcare needs
The new changes were motivated by the changing realities of the world and the practice of medicine in Canada, and others by the Medical School’s responsibility to better address equity, diversity and inclusivity in the education of physicians, as well as the care of patients.
Read more in Faculty of Medicine News
Dal medical students give back in the spirit of social accountability and community engagement
The Community-Engaged Service Learning Program at Dalhousie Medical School is creating opportunities for students to partner with not-for-profit groups serving communities that may have limited access and experience with health care.
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Civic university with global impact
Dal and Nova Scotia launch Centre for Psychological Health for vulnerable populations
The centre will only serve low-income clients, particularly Nova Scotians who face barriers in accessing mental health services. Currently, the centre is partnering with specific community organizations to identify individuals who are most in need of their services.
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Province funds new medical school campus in Cape Breton
The campus, the province’s second and the third campus for Dalhousie Medical School, will train 30 new doctors every year. It will include a new collaborative care clinic at the Nova Scotia Community College (NSCC), and an expansion of Cape Breton University’s health and counselling centre.
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Taking oral health to school
Students from the Faculty of Dentistry and Let’s Talk Science joined forces and marked Oral Health Month by visiting grade one classrooms. The students gave five workshops on the importance of oral health, how to maintain good oral hygiene, and how to prevent cavities.
Read more in Faculty of Dentistry news
UpLift Partnership empowers children and youth to take the lead in creating school communities that are healthy.
The UpLift Partnership is a School-Community-University partnership supporting the health and learning of school-aged children and youth using a Health Promoting Schools approach. Hosted within Dalhousie’s Healthy Populations Institute, Uplift operates in partnership with government, Nova Scotia Health, school communities, non-profits and the private sector.
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Athletics & Recreation youth programming
In addition to a full slate of summer, March break and PD day camps, Dalhousie Athletics & Recreation often works with community partners to offer opportunities for kids in our communities. For example, we have an ongoing partnership with the Halifax Regional Centre for Education that provides 22 free spots to ensure students from low socio-economic households are able to participate in summer camps.
Become a better informed health consumer!
Dalhousie University Medical School offers a free, public offering known as Mini Medical School. More than 1000 people attended last year.
Foundation for inclusion and distinction
Dalhousie to offer free menstrual products in campus restrooms
This project recognizes that menstruation affects individuals regardless of their gender identity, making these products accessible in women's, men's and all-gender restrooms.
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Dal reinforces commitment to health promotion by signing the Okanagan Charter
Dalhousie joined more than 30 Canadian universities and colleges from coast to coast in signing onto the Okanagan Charter: An International Charter for Health Promoting Universities and Colleges. The charter represents a formal commitment to being a health-promoting university.
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Take care of your health
Dalhousie Student Health & Wellness offers students many resources to help keep mind and body in shape. A variety of mental health resources are available for students, including same-day counselling, group counselling, access to Dal’s social worker, online resources and peer support. And while not all university students choose to have sex, there are resources available to Dalhousie students so they can take care of their sexual health.
What you need to know about Dal's Mental Health Awareness Week
For the third year in a row, the university will be hosting its own Mental Health Awareness Week to promote mental health and help build a sense of belonging and holistic well-being for all students through events, activities, and conversations.
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Join the dialogue and share your ideas on how to support mental health at Dal
The Dalhousie Mental Health Forum (DMHF) is an open forum for students, faculty and staff to inspire and unite stakeholders in mental health and wellness. The DMHF provides a platform for sharing ideas and collaborating on mental health related events, programming and campaigns.
Smoke Free
Dalhousie is a no-smoking university. The university's no-smoking policy came into effect on September 1, 2003. The policy prohibits smoking in all university buildings, including university residences, on university property and in university vehicles. Dalhousie was the first university in Canada to declare its property 'smoke-free'. The policy applies to cannabis as well.