Edwin S.H. Leong Centre for Healthy Children

Harnessing Interdisciplinary Research to Promote the Flourishing of Every Child and Family

The Edwin S.H. Leong Centre for Healthy Children, at the University of Toronto and The Hospital for Sick Children in Toronto, Canada, is a research centre focused on early interventions and social policy to allow children and youth to thrive.

Established in 2019 through a landmark gift from Dr. Edwin S.H. Leong, a prominent global business leader, philanthropist, and University of Toronto alumnus, our Centre brings together researchers to address and reduce inequities in child health outcomes resulting from the social and structural determinants of health. To learn more about our work and current activities, we encourage you to become a member for the latest news and events.

Areas of Focus

Health Inequities in Children

Addressing the causes and impact of societal disadvantage to promote the flourishing of every child and family

Mental Health

Preventing mental health problems and supporting optimal outcomes for those with mental healthcare needs

Chronic Childhood Conditions

Preventing illness and improving the well-being of children with chronic conditions and their families

Child Development & School Outcomes

Supporting healthy development during critical life stages

Care Delivery Models & Policies

Evaluating innovative models of care delivery and health and social policies

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May 26, 2026

“They can’t stop us from having fun”: Using the write-draw-storying method for strength-based research priority setting with sexual and gender minority youth in Waterloo Region

On behalf of the BRIDGES Lab, Dr. Tin D. Vo (Assistant Professor, University of Toronto, Factor-Inwentash Faculty of Social Work) and Chris Wang (Research Assistant) provide an update on their study co-creating research priorities with sexual and gender minority (SGM) youth in the Waterloo region. This project was supported through the Edwin S.H. Leong Centre for Healthy Children’s 2025 Community Engagement Grant and Dr. Vo’s Internal Research Fund provided by the Factor-Inwentash Faculty of Social Work.

May 12, 2026

Insights from the field: Exploring the basics of storytelling

At a recent Trainee Hub event hosted by the Edwin S.H. Leong Centre for Healthy Children and Child Health Evaluative Sciences program, learners explored the power of storytelling in healthcare and its role in research, service design and policy change. The session highlighted both the benefits and ethical considerations of working with lived experience stories, offering practical approaches to support storytelling in ways that are meaningful and person-centred.

Apr 30, 2026

Research and reflection during an MPH practicum

Shiyani Balakumar, an MPH Epidemiology practicum student from the Dalla Lana School of Public Health at the University of Toronto, joined the Edwin S.H. Leong Centre for Healthy Children in May 2025. In this feature, Shiyani reflects on her practicum experience at the Centre, sharing how she applied her epidemiology training through hands-on research with the Canadian Perinatal Opioid Project, contributing to all stages of the research process from literature reviews and analysis in SAS to manuscript development.

Co-Directors Message

The Edwin S.H. Leong Centre for Healthy Children at the University of Toronto and The Hospital for Sick Children brings together top researchers to help reduce inequities in child health, including those caused by social and structural determinants of health. Through strategic investments in research, education, training and infrastructure we are executing our vision of “harnessing interdisciplinary research to promote the flourishing of every child and family”.

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Acknowledgement of Traditional Land

The Edwin S.H. Leong Centre for Healthy Children at the University of Toronto and The Hospital for Sick Children is situated on the traditional territories of the Huron-Wendat, Seneca, and Mississaugas of the Credit River. We recognize and honour the Indigenous peoples who have cared for this land for thousands of years, and today, this land remains a vibrant meeting place for many Indigenous people from across Turtle Island. The Centre is committed to collaborating with Indigenous communities and partners to promote the health and wellbeing of every child and family.