Grant: Planning Grants - Priority Announcement: Ethics

The goal of the proposed research program led by the Lakehead University Centre for Health Care Ethics is to set in place an initiative to significantly improve health care for First Nations, Inuit and Métis people in Canada. There is a pressing need to address existing inequities and inequalities of health care for Aboriginal people and communities across the country. The situation has become so adverse that statistics show that the substantially worse health status of the Aboriginal population results in a life expectancy that is reduced by five to ten years compared with the general population. One of the areas of concern that will be investigated and addressed is the inadequate utilization and access to the health-care system. It is imperative to consult with Aboriginal researchers, patients, families and the community about their health-care experiences and prepare a research program to formally document these issues and identify culturally safe and competent approaches to meet this challenge. The purpose of the proposed 2-day meeting (February 21-22, 2013) is to gather experts in health care ethics, Aboriginal research, and Aboriginal health care with Aboriginal researchers, community members and partners in order to create a multidisciplinary research team. This team will create a research plan strategy to engage Aboriginal patients and communities that will result in a marked improvement in their health status and overall well-being.