Statistics Canada researchers in Sudbury, as part of national health survey

Outside a hockey arena in the Copper Cliff neighbourhood of Sudbury, Ont., there's a group of three interconnected trailers with the Statistics Canada logo blazoned at the top.

Since 2007, Canada's national statistical agency has partnered with Health Canada and the Public Health Agency of Canada on the Canadian Health Measures Survey.

Over a two-year cycle, researchers visit 16 cities across Canada where they collect data about people's health.

Kelsey Wolfenden, the site manager for the survey's temporary examination centre, said it's the first time the survey team has come to the northern Ontario city.

Over the course of two weeks, she said researchers expect to meet with around 400 randomly chosen Sudburians – based on Census results – to gather some information about their health.

"The first half is a home interview where a Statistics Canada interviewer would come to your household and ask you a bunch of questions about your lifestyle, your diet, things like that," Wolfenden said.

At the examination centre they take measurements – such as height, weight and blood pressure. Researchers also collect a blood and urine sample from each participant.

There's a small lab on the site that splits the samples and then sends them to labs around the country for further analysis.

"The results, they're used as baseline data for policyholders or stakeholders to better understand health trends across Canada," Wolfenden said.

For their trouble, each participant receives $150.

Wolfenden said she and her team are travelling to a different city every six weeks.

"We just finished in Brockville, Ontario, last week and we're doing Sudbury for six weeks," she said. "Then afterwards we'll head to Edmonton, Alberta, for six weeks."