The extensive and rapid mobilization of science during the COVID-19 pandemic gave us all a first-hand experience of bringing science to life to save the lives of millions. Can we do the same for other diseases that affect children, like obesity, diabetes, asthma, and rare genetic diseases? Taking discoveries from research centres like ours and applying them in a real world setting is challenging.

One of the main goals of this year’s conference is to highlight the best examples of putting science into action to improve the health of families.

Despite our best efforts, not everyone benefits from scientific discoveries that solve real-world problems. Families of colour, Indigenous families, and families in disadvantaged neighborhoods are often left out of the research process and the last to benefit from the discoveries. Science and translating it for public good must overcome structural and social barriers to health and well-being. We hope attendees will come out of this conference understanding these barriers and how scientists are addressing them to improve the health of families.