An integrated exploration into the social and environmental determinants of health: the Saskatchewan Population Health and Evaluation Research Unit (SPHERU).

The Saskatchewan Population Health and Evaluation Research Unit (SPHERU) is a new interdisciplinary research institute established by the Universities of Saskatchewan and Regina. SPHERU developed four of its research programs using a hierarchic model of health determining conditions and contexts. In descending order these programs include: Economic and Environmental Globalization, Governance and Health Community/Environment as a Health Determinant Multiple Roles, Gender and Health Determinants of Healthy Childhood Development A fifth program researching the determinants of health of indigenous peoples spans all four levels. Two research projects, one on power, control and health, and another on community capacity building approaches to human service programs, assist SPHERU in developing the theoretical linkages between its programs. This article describes SPHERU's research model and the Unit's approach to research and summarizes each of its current research programs and projects.