{"id":20488,"date":"2026-07-14T05:25:11","date_gmt":"2026-07-14T09:25:11","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/aseq-ehaq.ca\/?page_id=20488"},"modified":"2026-07-14T05:28:02","modified_gmt":"2026-07-14T09:28:02","slug":"research-program","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/aseq-ehaq.ca\/en\/research-program\/","title":{"rendered":"Research Program"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Advancing Knowledge. Informing Policy. Improving Lives.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The Environmental Health Association of Qu\u00e9bec (ASEQ-EHAQ) is committed to advancing high-quality, community-engaged research that improves the health, accessibility, inclusion, and quality of life of individuals living with Multiple Chemical Sensitivity (MCS).<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Our research program combines scientific rigour with lived experience to generate evidence that informs healthcare, public policy, accessibility, education, and environmental health. Guided by individuals with lived experience, academic researchers, healthcare professionals, and community partners, our work addresses real-world challenges and translates research findings into practical resources, policy recommendations, and actions that support healthier and more inclusive communities.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Our research follows the principles of community-engaged research, recognizing that individuals living with MCS are essential partners throughout the research process \u2014 from identifying priorities and shaping research questions to interpreting findings and sharing results.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Research Priorities<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">ASEQ-EHAQ&#8217;s research program focuses on several interconnected themes that together advance understanding of Multiple Chemical Sensitivity and promote healthier, more accessible, and inclusive communities.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Healthcare Access and Health Services<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">We examine how individuals living with MCS access healthcare, including primary care, emergency care, specialist services, and rehabilitation. Our research explores barriers to care, accommodation practices, diagnostic experiences, and opportunities to improve healthcare accessibility and patient outcomes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Accessibility, Inclusion, and Human Rights<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Our research investigates barriers to participation experienced by people living with MCS in workplaces, educational settings, housing, transportation, healthcare facilities, and other public environments. We examine how policies, institutional practices, and legal frameworks can better support accessibility, inclusion, and the rights of persons with disabilities.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Indoor Air Quality and Exposure Reduction<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">ASEQ-EHAQ conducts research on indoor environmental quality, including volatile organic compounds (VOCs), fragrances, cleaning products, ventilation, and other indoor air contaminants. Our research evaluates practical approaches to reducing indoor chemical exposures and improving accessibility through source control, fragrance-free policies, ventilation, and healthier indoor environments. Findings from this work contribute to evidence-informed recommendations for workplaces, healthcare facilities, educational institutions, and other public settings.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Public Health, Prevention, and Environmental Exposures<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">We study environmental exposures associated with MCS and evaluate strategies that promote healthier indoor environments, reduce chemical exposures, and support disease prevention.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Knowledge, Education, and Professional Practice<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Our research examines knowledge, attitudes, and accommodation practices among healthcare providers, employers, educators, first responders, legal professionals, social service providers, and other professionals. These findings support the development of evidence-informed education, professional training, and best practice resources.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Community Experiences and Quality of Life<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Through surveys, interviews, focus groups, and other community-engaged research approaches, we document the lived experiences of individuals with MCS and their caregivers, including impacts on healthcare access, employment, housing, financial security, social participation, general well-being, and daily life.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Climate Change, Emergency Preparedness, and Community Resilience<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Our research explores how climate-related events \u2014 including wildfire smoke, extreme heat, prolonged power outages, flooding, and emergency evacuations \u2014 affect individuals living with MCS. We work collaboratively with communities to identify strategies that improve preparedness, resilience, and equitable emergency planning and response.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Emerging Science and Precision Health<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">ASEQ-EHAQ collaborates with academic and clinical partners to better understand the biological mechanisms underlying MCS, including environmental exposures, genetics, and other factors that may contribute to disease susceptibility and progression. This work aims to support future advances in diagnosis, prevention, and personalized approaches to care.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Current Research Projects<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">ASEQ-EHAQ&#8217;s current research program includes several community-engaged studies conducted in collaboration with universities, healthcare institutions, and community organizations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Current projects include:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Accessible Air in the Built Environment<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>National Needs Assessment on Professional Knowledge, Accommodation Practices, and Accessibility Barriers Related to Multiple Chemical Sensitivity (MCS) in Canada<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Improving Accessibility and Inclusion in the Built Environment for Individuals with Multiple Chemical Sensitivity: Factors and Strategies<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Invisible No More: Advancing Accessibility, Inclusion, and Recognition of Multiple Chemical Sensitivity (MCS) in Canada<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Experiences of Multiple Chemical Sensitivity in Qu\u00e9bec: Healthcare Access, Accommodation, and Recognition<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Invisible in the Storm: Climate Vulnerability, Accessibility, and Environmental Health Experiences Among People Living with Multiple Chemical Sensitivity (MCS) in Canada<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Community-Based Genomics Initiative for Multiple Chemical Sensitivity <em>(under development)<\/em><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Our Research Approach<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">ASEQ-EHAQ is committed to conducting research that is:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Community-engaged and informed by lived experience<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Scientifically rigorous and ethically conducted<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Inclusive, accessible, and participant-centred<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Collaborative and interdisciplinary<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Focused on knowledge translation and real-world impact<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">All research involving human participants is conducted in accordance with recognized ethical standards and receives approval from an independent Research Ethics Board before participant recruitment begins.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Research Partnerships<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">ASEQ-EHAQ collaborates with researchers, universities, healthcare organizations, disability organizations, government agencies, and community partners across Canada and internationally.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Our partnerships strengthen scientific excellence while ensuring that research remains relevant to the priorities and lived experiences of individuals living with MCS. Through these collaborations, we seek to advance scientific knowledge while supporting evidence-informed policy, professional practice, and improved health outcomes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>From Research to Action<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Research is most meaningful when it improves people&#8217;s lives.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">ASEQ-EHAQ is committed to translating research findings into practical resources, educational materials, professional training, policy recommendations, and advocacy initiatives that support healthier environments, greater accessibility, and improved recognition of Multiple Chemical Sensitivity. By working collaboratively with researchers, governments, healthcare providers, and community partners, we aim to ensure that research contributes to meaningful improvements in health, inclusion, and quality of life.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Advancing Knowledge. Informing Policy. Improving Lives. The Environmental Health Association of Qu\u00e9bec (ASEQ-EHAQ) is committed to advancing high-quality, community-engaged research that improves the health, accessibility, inclusion, and quality of life of individuals living with Multiple Chemical Sensitivity (MCS). Our research program combines scientific rigour with lived experience to generate evidence that informs healthcare, public policy, accessibility, education, and environmental health. [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":15,"featured_media":0,"parent":0,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"footnotes":""},"class_list":["post-20488","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/aseq-ehaq.ca\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/20488","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/aseq-ehaq.ca\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/aseq-ehaq.ca\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/aseq-ehaq.ca\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/15"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/aseq-ehaq.ca\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=20488"}],"version-history":[{"count":2,"href":"https:\/\/aseq-ehaq.ca\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/20488\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":20492,"href":"https:\/\/aseq-ehaq.ca\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/20488\/revisions\/20492"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/aseq-ehaq.ca\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=20488"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}