By: Allison Currie
Dr. Alexa Yakubovich is an Assistant Professor in Community Health and Epidemiology at Dalhousie University.
Can you tell us a little bit about your field of research?
My research program aims to advance a structural understanding of interpersonal violence and related health inequities, with a particular focus on intimate partner violence and sexualized violence. This work includes both investigations of the social and structural determinants of violence and its health and social consequence, and the design, implementation and evaluation of interventions that account for these determinants. I use a variety of research methods, including epidemiologic methods, systematic reviews, meta-analysis, mixed methods, psychometrics, community-based participatory research and implementation science.
What led you to this field/inspired you to do this work?
Intimate partner violence and sexualized violence are the most common forms of violence against women. This violence is rooted in gender-based and intersecting social inequities and has profound impacts on women’s health, including injury, mental health problems, and chronic disease and pain. In fact, violence against women is one of the greatest contributors to the burden of injury and disease among women. It is the injustice of violence and its devastating consequences that drives me to do this work.
How does your research translate into healthcare solutions for the patient/public?
Since 2022, our research team has been mapping the health needs of survivors of violence against women, and current gaps in policy and care provision in responding to these needs, across Nova Scotia as well as other Canadian provinces. The work underway will lead to new approaches to violence prevention and supports for survivors.
To accomplish this work, we have developed robust partnerships with health and social service providers, organizational leadership, policymakers, and advocates, who are supporting all stages of the research and knowledge mobilization of best practices. We are using this research to inform intervention strategies that can strengthen the response to violence against women across the healthcare system. This has both immediate benefits and longer-term goals as we engage more partners.
What is the biggest challenge/opportunity in your field of research?
Recent events in Nova Scotia – including the COVID-19 pandemic, the Mass Casualty Commission, and the Desmond Fatality Inquiry – have galvanized public and political attention around violence against women and gender-based violence. This brings new opportunities and capacity to improve the responsiveness of health policy and the healthcare system to these issues.
Why is research and participation in research important?
Despite the best intentions, any time we intervene in people’s lives – whether it is a vaccine, drug, or social intervention or policy – we can cause more harm than good. High quality research is critical so that we have a solid understanding of what the problem is and the capacity of relevant actors to implement a viable intervention as well as a system in place to monitor and evaluate the impacts of our interventions to ensure we actually are seeing benefits (rather than wasting resources or causing harm).
What does the ideal future in your field of research look like to you?
The goal of my research program is to promote social and structural change that prevents violence and mitigates its negative impacts on health and wellbeing. As we strengthen coordination and collaboration between health and social care systems and policymakers, we aim to improve not just how we respond to violence but also the prevention of violence in the first instance.
There are over 100 affiliate scientists working with various teams across Research, Innovation & Discovery at Nova Scotia Health. The contributions they make to our healthcare system enable Nova Scotia Health to attract and retain students and future health researchers as well as other leading scientists from across the globe.
Research is care, and clinical studies help translate research into potentially life-changing therapies that can help you, your friends and your loved ones. Want to know more about how to get involved? Visit Nova Studies Connect today: novastudiesconnect.ca
