05 Indigenous Peoples Health and Wellbeing
This research theme will study key areas of concern specific to Indigenous communities not addressed in modelling approaches, including: what factors contribute to different rates and pathways for ID spread in Indigenous populations (IP); how improved non-invasive monitoring strategies and early detection can empower communities and enhance self-determination; and, how response and mitigation can be informed by these data to limit spread and contain viruses at the earliest point of detection.
- As with other outbreaks, Indigenous communities in Canada are currently experiencing a disproportionate burden of COVID-19 with many provinces reporting the highest number of new COVID-19 cases in First Nations communities. Despite Indigenous peoples being disproportionately impacted from ID, very little is known about contributing factors, and how they impact and change our understanding and modelling of disease transmission in Indigenous communities.