JSGS PhD student shares health policy research on international stage in Mexico City

When Chinaedu Mbonu arrived in Mexico City for the 2026 International Conference on Urban Health (ICUH), she joined researchers, policymakers, practitioners, and leaders from around the world exploring solutions to some of the most pressing health challenges facing urban communities. 

As a JSGS PhD student, the opportunity represented more than a chance to attend an international conference. It was an opportunity to contribute to a global conversation through research rooted in improving health outcomes and strengthening connections between healthcare and community supports.

Inspired by the conference's focus on urban health, Mbonu submitted an abstract based on her doctoral research and was selected to deliver an oral presentation. Her presentation, Integrating Social Prescribing into Urban Primary Healthcare Systems, examined the role of social prescribing in urban health, recognizing that health is shaped by more than medical care alone. Through social prescribing, individuals are connected with community-based programs and support services that can support their overall well-being. Mbonu's research investigates the barriers, facilitators, and policy pathways for integrating this approach into primary healthcare systems across Canada.

"Presenting and participating in the ICUH conference was a rewarding experience," said Mbonu. "I connected with, and learned from researchers across the globe, who like me, shared their work and perspectives on Urban Health."

The conference, hosted by the International Society for Urban Health, brought together participants from around the world to discuss topics ranging from climate resilience and chronic disease prevention to mental health and community belonging.

"I left the conference with a broader understanding of research interconnectedness and the value of multidisciplinary collaborations in addressing policy issues," Mbonu said. "The conference reinforced the idea that health is shaped by our environment and community."

One experience that particularly resonated with her was a site visit to the Units for Transformation and Organization for Inclusion and Social Harmony (UTOPIAS), an initiative in Mexico City that provides residents with free access to holistic public services, including health and community care.

"Closely related to my research on integrating social prescribing into primary health care, I hope that someday similar policies that blur the lines between health and community care systems can be replicated in Canada," she said.

Mbonu credits her experience at JSGS with helping prepare her for opportunities like ICUH, particularly through the school's emphasis on systems thinking and public policy analysis. Her supervisor, Dr. Akram Mahani, said the conference demonstrated both the strength of Mbonu's research and her growth as a scholar.

"It's rewarding to see my PhD student present her research with confidence, engage with international scholars, and build new professional connections," said Dr. Mahani.

Supported in part through a JSGS travel award, the experience provided Mbonu with an opportunity to share her research on an international stage while bringing new ideas and perspectives back home to Saskatchewan and Canada.