Dr. Smita Pakhale, a respirologist and scientist at the Ottawa Hospital Research Institute, works with a team of researchers in partnership with racialzed people who live in social housing, and/or emergency homeless shelters , at a community-based research center in Ottawa, Canada. Located in the vicinity of low-income communities, The Bridge Engagement Centre's (The Bridge) mission is to help people break the cycle of poverty and access better health.

The documentary highlights one of The Bridge's projects known as the PROMPT study which was a direct response to the alarming rate of smoking among Ottawa’s drug using community. The study provides participants with free Nicotine Replacement Therapy (NRT), nurse counselling, peer support, and on-going life-skills workshops. The majority of people who participated not only reduced or quit tobacco-use, but also other substances such as fentanyl, heroin, and oxycontin. In addition, many improved their socio-economic standing, and over 97% said they felt better, breathed better, and ate better after participating in the project.

The film is a story of The Bridge and its people as they co-create innovative evidence-based sustainable solutions to the root causes of poor health.

Welcome to the Bridge

Documentary