Population-based health research that makes a difference
ICES leads cutting-edge studies that evaluate health care delivery and outcomes. ICES researchers access a vast and secure array of Ontario’s health-related data, including population-based health surveys, anonymous patient records, and clinical and administrative databases. ICES is recognized as a leader in maintaining the privacy and security of health information.
World-class research teams
ICES is a community of research, data and clinical experts. Many ICES scientists are internationally recognized for their work, and a number of them are practicing clinicians who understand the everyday challenges of health care delivery. ICES scientists lead research teams that include expert statisticians and epidemiologists, as well as specialists in knowledge translation, project management, information security and privacy, and information technology. This variety of skill sets ensures a multidisciplinary approach to issues and a real-world mosaic of perspectives that is vital to shaping Ontario’s health care system.
Research with Impact
ICES research results in an evidence base that is published as atlases, investigative reports and peer-reviewed papers, and is used to guide decision-making and inform changes in health care policy and delivery. Many ICES reports are undertaken to answer specific questions (known as Applied Health Research Questions) posed by health-system stakeholders and policy-makers. ICES evidence influences the design, implementation and evaluation of health policy and the delivery of health care. Our work is highly regarded in Canada and abroad.
Research Independence
As an independent, not-for-profit corporation, ICES takes pride in its international reputation as a trusted, impartial and credible source of high-quality health and health services research and evidence. ICES receives core funding from the Ontario Ministry of Health. ICES scientists have highly successful track records competing for peer-reviewed grants from federal agencies, such as the Canadian Institutes of Health Research, and from provincial and international funding bodies.
A growing network across Ontario
ICES is located on the campus of Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre in Toronto and has physical sites at Queen’s University in Kingston (ICES Queen’s), the University of Ottawa (ICES uOttawa), the University of Toronto (ICES UofT), Western University in London (ICES Western) and McMaster University in Hamilton (ICES McMaster). A sixth site opened in 2018 at the Health Sciences North Research Institute in Sudbury, in partnership with Laurentian University and NOSM University (ICES North).
ICES video: The power of data to improve health
