YCK is a research group that seeks to provide short-, medium-, and long-term professional research services in health policy, health economics, and social, political, and environmental research. Our mission is two-fold: we are committed to advancing international and Ontario/Canadian health policy by assisting policymakers and practitioners in making informed, research-based decisions about the communities they serve.
As health and social policy advisors, we value both quantitative and mixed-methods approaches in our work and tailor them to address complex policy problems in ways that are sensitive to the local, regional, national, and international communities with which policymakers and practitioners work. Quantitative research methods afford us opportunities to foster deep analytical insight in our research, and interviews with population subgroups allow us to verify and assess quantitative findings, if need be.
We specialize in statistical and econometric programming, as well as in the manipulation and interpretation of “big data,” to solve policy problems and welcome collaborative research involving multiple stakeholders.
We gather scientific research evidence (literature and datasets) at the community, regional, provincial/state, national, and international levels to inform decision-makers on policy issues and solutions grounded in research.
Past and current research activities have covered topics including migration, foreign-trained health professionals, healthcare quality improvement, healthcare service utilization, foreign credential recognition and labour market outcomes, marginalized populations, Indigenous health, visible minority research, and maternal and child health.
Founder of YCK Research Group
Dr. Yaw O. Owusu, founder of YCK Research Group, earned his PhD in Health Policy in 2014 from McMaster University’s Centre for Health Economics and Policy Analysis (CHEPA) in Ontario, Canada, with a focus on Health Economics. His thesis, [International Migration and Occupational Integration of Skilled Health Professionals, see here https://macsphere.mcmaster.ca/handle/11375/16428], explored health human resources and, from an economic standpoint, examined the ethical and policy issues related to recognizing foreign credentials and the migration and integration of healthcare workers worldwide.
His doctoral research helped him develop expertise in evidence-based health policy, quantitative and qualitative research, project management, presentation skills, communication, and knowledge translation. He is skilled in conducting literature reviews, data analysis, and interpreting large health datasets for evaluating policies and programs. His respect for local knowledge and communities, gained through his early and undergraduate education in Ghana and his multidisciplinary backgrounds—including Master’s degrees in Economics & Finance and Environmental Sciences (specializing in Public Administration & Policy) in the U.S.—led him to establish YCK, a consultancy firm dedicated to health policy, privacy, social & health services, and health economics that emphasizes ethical and relational aspects of policymaking.
With co-authors, Dr. Owusu is interested in researching the utilization of healthcare services among different population groups, including Indigenous and visible minorities, in Canada, and the study-migration pathway for international students in health science programs, including their likelihood of remaining in Canada and their employability following graduation. He has successfully published his findings in international health policy journals, including a World Health Organization publication, and has presented his work at global conferences.
To expand his expertise, Yaw obtained the CIPP/C certification from the International Association of Privacy Professionals (IAPP). This top privacy credential confirms his knowledge of Canadian privacy laws across the social, private, and public sectors, including provincial health and federal government areas. Dr. Owusu is also interested in exploring the trade-offs involved in privacy implementation and in reviewing relevant case studies. With the rapidly expanding field of artificial intelligence, Dr. Owusu has developed expertise in developing AI policies for organizations.
As the founder of YCK, Yaw looks forward to the opportunity to apply his expertise in empirical research, policy, privacy, and compliance by working with and learning from teams across a broad range of topics in social (including child welfare), environmental, and health policies. He also aims to support research projects that improve the socio-economic and health status and outcomes of people in different contexts, regardless of socio-economic gradient. Clients may request a copy of Yaw’s CV.
YCK Research Group provides consulting in health policy, health economics, privacy, social services, and health systems research. Our expertise includes privacy impact assessments, AI policy development, healthcare utilization and financing, health human resources, economic evaluations, quality improvement, and mixed-methods research.
Our clients include government policymakers, not-for-profit organizations, for-profit organizations, community leaders, healthcare institutions, and international development agencies seeking evidence-based policy and program support.
We apply quantitative, qualitative, and mixed-method research approaches. Our work includes statistical analysis, econometric modelling, predictive modelling, data mining, literature reviews, program evaluation, and health economic analysis.
Yes. We conduct comprehensive Privacy Impact Assessments to identify risks, ensure compliance with Canadian and Ontario privacy legislation (including PIPEDA and PHIPA), and develop safeguards to protect personal information.
Yes. We support organizations in developing responsible AI policies aligned with relevant legislation and ethical standards, ensuring proper governance, transparency, and data protection.
We work with diverse population groups, including visible minorities, Indigenous communities, aging populations, health workers, children, working-age adults, and individuals in acute and chronic health states.
We adhere to the Tri-Council Policy Statement on Research Ethics and follow rigorous methodological standards. Our work emphasizes transparency, accountability, and evidence-based decision-making.
You may submit your research question along with available data and a brief description of your project. We will conduct an initial feasibility assessment and provide a proposal outlining scope, timeline, and market-based fees.
Contact us to support your research and policy needs.
