Grant: Project Grant

The Our Health Counts studies are six urban Indigenous community-based research partnerships in the cities of Hamilton, Ottawa, Toronto, London, Thunder Bay and Kenora, Ontario. Each of these studies was done using an advanced statistical method, called respondent-driven sampling, which helps study hard-to-reach communities. Meta-analysis is a commonly used statistical technique that combines results from different studies to produce one single, overall summary of the available information. Traditionally used in the area of clinical trials, meta-analysis is considered the 'gold-standard' technique as it provides a complete picture of all available information and increases the reliability of our conclusions. Unfortunately, due to its statistical complexities, appropriate meta-analysis methods are not developed for studies using respondent-driven sampling. Using advanced statistical methods, we will develop and evaluate an appropriate meta-analysis method to combine data across all six Our Health Counts study sites and provide a more complete picture of urban Indigenous health information across Ontario. Of pressing interest, early evidence from the Toronto database shows a higher rate of diabetes and opioid use relative to the general Canadian population, and a high rate of experiencing discrimination from healthcare providers. However, this single study site lacks the precision to make strong conclusions. On a positive note, this database shows a strong desire for access to traditional Indigenous medicines, which we would like to investigate across study sites in more detail. In partnership with our six Indigenous Community partners, our research team will develop these advanced statistical methods and provide a more complete and accurate picture of the health of urban Indigenous adults. This more accurate, provincial-level information will inform local Indigenous community members, health and social support organizations, and various levels of government.