



We are a team of researchers who are interested in promoting health and well-being across the lifespan through epidemiological methods and examining the contextual deteminants of positive development.
The Youth Development Instrument (YDI), a survey for students that seeks to identify the individual and contextual resources, opportunities, and practices that foster or hinder positive youth development.
Our work includes a range of research projects from the epidemiology of Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) and Hepatitis C Virus (HCV) and into the area of mental health and positive youth development.
Promoting health & well-being through data collaboration community engagement
check out the ydi 2023 provincial report!
In 2023, we heard from 14,596 young people in 28 school districts and 28 independent schools across BC about what matters for their health and well-being. The YDI Provincial Report consolidates results from the Youth Development Instrument (YDI) and includes findings about sleep, physical activity, positive relationships, and other factors that have been linked to young people thriving.
“This report is an opportunity to hear from young people about how we can work together across sectors like health and education and with youth directly to create environments in which young people can flourish,” says Dr. Hasina Samji.
FEATURED NEWS

CHART Lab team publishes a new article in the BC Medical Journal using YDI data on mental health and well-being
Dr. Jacquie Maloney and colleagues from the CHART Lab and the BC Centre for Disease Control (BCCDC) published an article in September 2023 in the BC Medical Journal discussing the risk and protective factors to youth mental health and well-being in BC. The article presents YDI data from 3 waves of data collection (2021–2023).
Read more here.

Congratulations to former CHART lab member Mari del Casal for graduating with a Master of Public Health (MPH) from the Faculty of Health Sciences at Simon Fraser University!
Mari completed his thesis research under the supervision of Dr. Hasina Samji with a focus on barriers to mental health services for young people in BC. Since defending his thesis in the fall, Mari has taken a position with the BC Children’s Hospital Health Promotion and Health Literacy team. Congratulations, Mari!

YDI receives funding from the 2022 Healthy Youth Catalyst Grant Competition!
Dr. Hasina Samji and the YDI team received funding from the 2022 Healthy Youth Catalyst Grant Competition for an upcoming youth participatory action research initiative! The funding is given by the CIHR Institute for Human Development, Child and Youth Health (IHDCYH). Thank you IHDCYH!
Learn more here.