Diabetes in First Nations and Inuit Communities
Type 2 diabetes is a critical health concern among Indigenous peoples in Canada. Indigenous peoples are among the highest-risk populations for diabetes and related complications compared to non-Indigenous Canadians.
A range of social, economic, biological and environmental factors have contributed to increased rates of diabetes and its complications among Indigenous peoples in Canada. The legacy of Canada's historic colonial practices and policies, systemic racism, intergenerational trauma, disruption of cultural identity and self-determination, and restricted access to and control of traditional lands have all contributed to the inequities experienced by Indigenous peoples.
The Government of Canada is committed to reducing the prevalence of diabetes and its complications in First Nations and Inuit communities across Canada. Through the Aboriginal Diabetes Initiative (ADI), Indigenous Services Canada funds and supports culturally appropriate, community-directed and designed health promotion and diabetes prevention programming and services in First Nations and Inuit communities.
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About the Aboriginal Diabetes Initiative
The Aboriginal Diabetes Initiative (ADI) was established in 1999 to improve the health of Indigenous individuals, families and communities by reducing the prevalence of diabetes and its risk factors. The funding supported awareness building and the implementation of health promotion and diabetes prevention programming in First Nations and Inuit communities.
In 2005, the ADI expanded to further strengthen community-based diabetes prevention and health promotion activities, increase the number of health service providers, and improve diabetes screening and treatment services.
As of 2015, the ADI receives $44.5 million per year. Funding is provided to over 400 First Nations and Inuit communities. Additional communities are supported in British Columbia through the First Nations Health Authority.
The overall goal of the ADI is to promote the health of First Nations and Inuit individuals and communities by reducing diabetes and its risk factors. The ADI supports the promotion of healthy behaviours and supportive environments in the areas of healthy eating, physical activity, food security, chronic disease prevention, screening and disease management.
The types of program activities and services offered in each community vary and are based on self-determined local needs and priorities. Through flexible health funding arrangements, First Nations and Inuit communities can allocate funds to better align with their own unique realities.
Examples of programs and services offered may include:
- community-based health promotion and primary prevention activities such as cooking classes and physical activity sessions
- traditional activities such as food harvesting, preparation and preservation
- traditional dancing, drumming and ceremonial practices
- Indigenous games
- land-based learning, which provides important physical and social benefits that reinforce cultural identity and resilience and enable communities to preserve and share valuable traditional knowledge
Activities also include:
- capacity building and training initiatives
- knowledge translation, sharing and other mobilization efforts
- screening and management, such as lower limb preservation programming and diabetes self-management
These activities are often done in partnership with Indigenous organizations at the community, regional or national level.
Feature stories
Related links
- Diabetes: Overview
- Preventing and managing chronic disease in First Nations communities: a guidance framework
- National Indigenous Diabetes Association
- Framework for diabetes in Canada
- Diabetes Canada
- Canada's Food Guide
- Canadian 24-Hour Movement Guidelines
- Canadian Diabetes Risk Questionnaire
- Non-insured health benefits for First Nations and Inuit