Getting Started The NCCAH initially undertook two projects to guide its work - an environmental scan of the current work performed in the field of Aboriginal peoples' health in Canada, and a survey of who was doing what in Aboriginal health research.
Our report, “
Landscapes of Indigenous Health” provided an overview of organizations involved in Aboriginal health, an evaluation of related research and literature, and the results of consultations with key informants in the field. The document, released in 2007, assessed 649 peer-reviewed documents and 242 reports, studies and discussion papers published since 2001 by Aboriginal organizations, federal and provincial governments, health regions, professional organizations, and other non-governmental organizations (NGOs).
The scan also assessed 243 projects undertaken by the
Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR) that were devoted to the study of Aboriginal health. Together, these assessments pointed to key themes in the field.
Among the many recommendations, the NCCAH was advised to:
· emphasize community collaboration,
· foster culturally appropriate research, programs, policies and collaborations that show tangible results for individuals and communities,
· foreground Indigenous knowledge in the field of public health in Canada,
· facilitate a transition to Aboriginal responsibility for public health,
· balance diversity with commonality, the local with the national.
Some of the issues raised included a call for evaluation processes for public health programs and applied research, as well as for data specific to First Nations, Inuit and Métis peoples. Key informants emphasized the social determinants of health as a strong priority, particularly relating to issues of culture and equity, including issues of race, power, systemic inequalities, and social justice.
In sum, all aspects of the environmental scan pointed to the importance of community and culture to Aboriginal public health in Canada.
We are pleased to note that the document is being updated and revised for 2010. We expect to release it soon!
In 2007, the NCCAH also undertook a "Who's Who in Aboriginal Health" survey that included academics (123), organizations and service providers (96), government bodies (6), and research centres (24) active in the area of Aboriginal health. In the course of the data collection, the NCCAH found that the top five focus areas of research amongst academics were: social determinants of health, diabetes, wellness, resilience and strength, women's health and mother-child health.
Our database is constantly evolving to provide us with the names of experts who generously provide their time and insights to support our peer-review process, helping ensure our reports, fact sheets, and knowledge-sharing materials meet a high standard of acceptance as viable sources of knowledge in Aboriginal public health. Our approach includes a rigorous double-blind peer review process that includes both academic as well as community expertise.