Health can be defined in various ways according to different professions, philosophies, and individuals. No matter the school of thought, social determinants of health will certainly be included in the definition. Defined as “the broad range of personal, social, economic, and environmental factors that determine individual and population health” (Government of Canada 2023), social determinants of health have incredible influence on general wellbeing. When basic needs surrounding social determinants of health cannot be met, a person is subject to chronic stress, which can then lead to chronic illness and a lower quality of life (Medskl.com 2016).
When considering health disparities between the Indigenous and non-Indigenous populations of Canada, specific determinants of health rooted in colonialism must be understood (Greenwood et al. 2015). Due to the effects of settler-colonialism being deeply embedded into Canadian legislature, “there continues to be significant gaps in health operations, services, and outcomes for Indigenous peoples” (Lakshmi Menon 2021). The main focus of Indigenous health policy is to address these gaps through a lens of decolonisation and reconciliation.
A 2019 article by Peter Kim further explores this topic through a life course approach to health development model. Personal, social, economic, and political determinants are all at a disadvantage for Indigenous peoples in Canada, resulting in many health inequities (Kim 2019). Kim outlines that colonialism, racism, and self-determination must be considered as distal social determinants of Indigenous health. Through the life course approach to health development, Kim theorizes that cumulative disadvantages from colonialism faced by Indigenous peoples can be traced as the direct cause for health inequities and intergenerational trauma (Kim 2019). The residential school system and the loss of socioeconomic status fuelled by colonialism are two determinants that impact Indigenous peoples’ health at large in Canada (Kim 2019). “Understanding and integrating historical knowledge into trauma informed care will prove beneficial […] and improve relationships between health care providers and Indigenous patients” (Kim 2019). This study is one of many that outlines the importance of acknowledging and understanding that social determinants of health can vary according to the community being served. Through education and working intently, it is possible to create a health system that meets the needs of every Canadian.
References
Converging Pathways. (2018). What is Smudging? [Image]. https://www.convergingpathways.ca/post/?ID=31
Government of Canada. (2023). Social determinants of health and health inequities. Retrieved 12 October 2023 from https://www.canada.ca/en/public-health/services/health-promotion/population-health/what-determines-health.html Greenwood, M., de Leeuw, S., Lindsay, N., & Reading, C. (2015). Determinants of Indigenous Peoples’ Health in Canada: Beyond the Social. Canadian Scholars’ Press Inc. 282 Pages. Kim, P. (2019). Social Determinants of Health Inequities in Indigenous Canadians Through a Life Course Approach to Colonialism and the Residential School System. Health Equity, 3(1) https://www.liebertpub.com/doi/pdf/10.1089/heq.2019.0041 Lakshmi Menon. (25 September 2021). Indigenous Health Policy in Canada [Video]. Youtube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6XOzOR6Nw_A Medskl.com. (29 June 2016). Public Health – Concepts of Health and Its Determinants: By Natalie Lovesey, M.D. [Video]. Youtube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XQkYIpCmTDw
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