Health Watch - June 2013

Improved health care in Ontario

Ontario is improving access to health care for families in northwestern Ontario by enhancing the Waasegiizhig Nanaandawe’lyewigamig Aboriginal Health Access Centre in Kenora and the Gizhewaadiziwin Aboriginal Health Access Centre in Fort Frances. New investments will help the centres retain and recruit primary-care physicians, recruit up to two additional nurse practitioners and offer more primary and traditional care programs and services. Both centres will also be renovated and the Fort Frances centre will also be expanded. As well, an additional $500,000 has been provided for the Southwest Ontario Aboriginal Health Access Centre in London. Aboriginal Health Access Centres focus on helping at-risk populations and those coping with mental health and addictions stay healthy. These centres provide traditional health and wellness services and contemporary primary health care services to Aboriginal patients. There are 10 Aboriginal Health Access Centres throughout Ontario providing care to on-and off-reserve, status, non-status, First Nation, Inuit and Métis Aboriginal communities.

Report released on health research

The Indigenous Peoples’ Health Research Centre has released its 2010-12 report, Leading the Way in Indigenous Health Research, which celebrates IPHRC’s continued commitment to advancing Indigenous health research and improving the health of Indigenous people in Saskatchewan and beyond. In partnership with Indigenous communities, IPHRC is committed to transformative research that applies Indigenous knowledge and practices. The Aboriginal population is the fastest growing population in Saskatchewan with approximately half of the population under the age of 25. The Aboriginal population suffers from increased rates of diabetes, infant mortality, hospitalization, and respiratory conditions such as asthma, leading to a shorter life expectancy.

Mental health pilot project undertaken in Elsipogtog First Nation

A progress report on the Action Plan for Mental Health in New Brunswick 2011-18 includes work that has been undertaken with First Nations during the first two years of the plan. The establishment of a Healing to Wellness Court on the Elsipogtog First Nation pilot project incorporates First Nations practices and culture and treatment options, and it deals with crime and its underlying causes. “We have focused much of our attention during these first two years on intervention and services to our youth population,” said Health Minister Hugh Flemming, in a news release. “While we continue to implement measures contained in the action plan, I encourage all New Brunswickers to consult this progress report and to join discussions about positive mental health.” The Department of Health has announced that it will invest $2.2 million in mental-health programming during 2013-14.

New clinic offers services in northwest Winnipeg

The newest health clinic in Winnipeg, ACCESS NorWest, will offer Aboriginal health outreach as well as basic health-care services, diabetes education, nutrition counselling, and family violence counselling. ACCESS NorWest costs the provincial government $4.7 million. There are plans to build 16 more ACCESS centres and QuickCare clinics over the next two years.

New strategy to battle oral disease among Inuit

ITK has launched a plan to fight the unacceptable rates of oral disease among Inuit. Healthy Teeth, Healthy Lives: Inuit Oral Health Action Plan 2013 envisions a future where all levels of governments, health policy makers and Inuit organizations work together with communities to address the root causes of poor oral health among Inuit, and create an environment where prevention is emphasized and access to treatment reaches the standard of care widely available to other Canadians. To address such disparities as 85 per cent of three to five years olds have or have had a cavity and the rates of dental decay among Inuit are two to three times higher than the average Canadian, ITK has collaborated with Inuit regions to create the action plan. Its eight areas of action call for a focus on prevention initiatives, improvements in access to dental care and to nutritious foods, engagement of parents and caregivers, and a call to strengthen leadership. The action plan places emphases on increasing the number of Inuit oral health service providers, with an aim to bring services closer to home.