Notice Board

Guest speaker and researcher Dr. Frederic Fu will discuss the intersection of homelessness, neurological disorders (NDs), and mental health, highlighting key findings from his interdisciplinary research.

People experiencing homelessness (PEH) face disproportionately high risks of neurological disorders and mental illnesses; however, research on these associations in Canada remains limited. Dr. Fu employs advanced statistical techniques and large-scale datasets — including the Homeless Individuals and Families Information System (HIFIS) and Point-in-Time (PiT) Counts — to identify key risk factors and inform policy-driven interventions.

His work encompasses multiple studies, including a meta-analysis of neurological disorders among PEH, a cross-sectional study analyzing four years of HIFIS data to assess mental health risks, and an evaluation of the 2024 Thunder Bay PiT Count aimed at improving homelessness measurement and intervention strategies. Additionally, his research on encampments in Thunder Bay underscores the importance of community-based strategies for long-term housing stability.

By integrating computational modeling, epidemiological methods, and community engagement, Dr. Fu seeks to bridge the gap between data and policy, providing actionable insights to reduce health disparities among vulnerable populations.

Dr. Fu, a postdoctoral researcher at York University, collaborates with professors such as Dr. Vijay Mago, Chair and Associate Professor at the School of Health Policy & Management at York University, and Dr. Rebecca Schiff, Deputy Provost of the University of Lethbridge. He also works with community partners, including the Lakehead Social Planning Council, to advance research on neurological and mental health disparities.

Dr. Fu’s talk is titled Investigating Risk Factors for Neurological Disorders (NDs) and Mental Illnesses Among People Experiencing Homelessness (PEH)

Where: M1060

Zoom link: https://uleth.zoom.us/j/96509038571