Module 1 - Health: A Comprehensive Perspective
Land Acknowledgement:
When done well, land acknowledgement is a great way to show respect to the native nations that lived
on and cared for the land we now use. It is important to recognize the incredibly harmful effects of
colonialism and find ways in our daily lives to make reparations for harm caused.
Ottawa Territories:
- Mohawk
- Algonquin
- Anishinabewaki
- Haudenosaunee (Iroquois)
Kingston Territories:
- Wendake-Nionwentsio
- Missussauga
- Haudenosaunee (Iroquois)
- Anishinaabewaki
Health Defined:
According to WHO: Health is a state of complete physical, mental, and social well-being and not simply
an absence of disease or infirmity
Two-Eyed Seeing Approach:
The idea that we must utilise both the western and native philosophies to provide better health.
Western medicine tends to be data-focused and analytical, while native healthcare is more personal and
driven by compassion and empathy. By using both lenses, we are able to provide much more complete
care.
Anishinaabe Medicine Wheel:
The medicine wheel is found in many indigenous practices, and it’s use varies with each culture. In
Anishinaabe culture, the wheel turns clockwise, with each direction representing a cardinal point:
- East (Yellow): Represents the spiritual dimension of health. This includes spiritual practices such
as smudging, signing and belief. Eagle, Tobacco, Spring
- South (Red): Represents the emotional dimension of health. Includes positive self-image, self-
love and a positive environment. Coyote, Cedar, Summer
- West (Black): Represents physical health. Includes diet, sleep, and exercise. Bear, Sage, Autumn
- North (White): Represents Mental Health. Includes time with family, Learning from elders, and
listening to stories. Deer, Sweet Grass, Winter
Health-Promoting Conditions:
These are social conditions that allow all people to experience health in a comprehensive manner:
- Availability of Health Services
- Adequate Housing
- Safe Working Conditions
, - Nutritious Foods
Global Health as a Discipline:
The discipline of global health was established on the basis of four factors that are incorporated into
most public health definitions:
1. Data and evidence
2. Population focused
3. Social Justice
4. Emphasis on Prevention
Public health is the culmination of government contributions and resources and societal contributions.
The principles of public health are used to create global health policies.
Human Rights:
A document created by the United Nations stating 30 rights that are universal amongst all human
beings. Article 25 of the document is concerned with the human right to health.
Declaration of rights of Indigenous People:
Created in 2007, This document specifically applied to indigenous peoples, granting extra protection to
their human rights which were not being upheld.
Social Determinants of Health:
Resiliency as an Aspect of Health:
Resiliency is made up of three broad components:
1. Social Resources
2. Personal Resources
3. Physical Resources
Protective Factors:
These are factors that lead to lower likelihoods of problem outcomes or reduce negative impact from
risk factors. These can include things such as high self-esteem, good coping mechanisms, and social
connections.
The SDH’s:
- Gender - Employment and Working Conditions - Disability
- Social Exclusion - Early Life - Housing
- Food Insecurity - Income and Distribution - Social Safety Net
- Health Services - Education - Unemployment
- Race - Indigenous Status
Health Advocacy:
There is a need to cultivate empathy and create health equity. Advocacy is important to help the causes
of those who need support to be fairly represented or defended. Advocates can bring about great social
change, but the individuals who spearhead these movements may also bring harmful ideologies into
their advocacy, such as racism, homophobia, or ableism.
, Module 2 – Measuring and Assessing Health:
Epidemiology and Global Health:
The study of the distribution and determinants of health-related states or events. This allows health
professionals to determine the best way to utilize resources to prevent disease and promote health.
While data is a powerful tool, it is important to recognize that it has been used against minority groups
and often collected against their will.
Decolonization of Data:
Data collected from indigenous populations is often used to frame them as a “problem minority” who
need help. This leads to additional external aid which creates a dependence on outside powers.
Indigenous Data Governance:
This means that data collected about indigenous people is controlled by indigenous people. This allows
them increased access to data and control over what to do with it. In Canada, the OCAP allows
indigenous people to have say over who has access to indigenous data and what to do with it.
Incidence and Prevalence:
Point Prevalence:
A measure of the proportion of a population that has a certain disease at a specific point in time. This is
very rarely used as the time it takes to survey large populations makes it difficult to be done for a single
point in time.
People with a disease
=rate
Population
Period Prevalence:
The measure of what proportion of a population has a disease over a period. It is much more useful for
epidemiology.
disease
People witha time period
the
=rate
Average population for time period
Cumulative Incidence:
A measure of risk where those already with the disease or incapable of getting it are excluded from the
total population at risk.
New Cases
=rate
Population at Risk
Incidence Density Rate (Person-Time IR):
Focuses on the length of time people were at risk of disease. It is measured by the number of people
who develop the disease divided by the number of person-years (#people at risk/#of years at risk).
Land Acknowledgement:
When done well, land acknowledgement is a great way to show respect to the native nations that lived
on and cared for the land we now use. It is important to recognize the incredibly harmful effects of
colonialism and find ways in our daily lives to make reparations for harm caused.
Ottawa Territories:
- Mohawk
- Algonquin
- Anishinabewaki
- Haudenosaunee (Iroquois)
Kingston Territories:
- Wendake-Nionwentsio
- Missussauga
- Haudenosaunee (Iroquois)
- Anishinaabewaki
Health Defined:
According to WHO: Health is a state of complete physical, mental, and social well-being and not simply
an absence of disease or infirmity
Two-Eyed Seeing Approach:
The idea that we must utilise both the western and native philosophies to provide better health.
Western medicine tends to be data-focused and analytical, while native healthcare is more personal and
driven by compassion and empathy. By using both lenses, we are able to provide much more complete
care.
Anishinaabe Medicine Wheel:
The medicine wheel is found in many indigenous practices, and it’s use varies with each culture. In
Anishinaabe culture, the wheel turns clockwise, with each direction representing a cardinal point:
- East (Yellow): Represents the spiritual dimension of health. This includes spiritual practices such
as smudging, signing and belief. Eagle, Tobacco, Spring
- South (Red): Represents the emotional dimension of health. Includes positive self-image, self-
love and a positive environment. Coyote, Cedar, Summer
- West (Black): Represents physical health. Includes diet, sleep, and exercise. Bear, Sage, Autumn
- North (White): Represents Mental Health. Includes time with family, Learning from elders, and
listening to stories. Deer, Sweet Grass, Winter
Health-Promoting Conditions:
These are social conditions that allow all people to experience health in a comprehensive manner:
- Availability of Health Services
- Adequate Housing
- Safe Working Conditions
, - Nutritious Foods
Global Health as a Discipline:
The discipline of global health was established on the basis of four factors that are incorporated into
most public health definitions:
1. Data and evidence
2. Population focused
3. Social Justice
4. Emphasis on Prevention
Public health is the culmination of government contributions and resources and societal contributions.
The principles of public health are used to create global health policies.
Human Rights:
A document created by the United Nations stating 30 rights that are universal amongst all human
beings. Article 25 of the document is concerned with the human right to health.
Declaration of rights of Indigenous People:
Created in 2007, This document specifically applied to indigenous peoples, granting extra protection to
their human rights which were not being upheld.
Social Determinants of Health:
Resiliency as an Aspect of Health:
Resiliency is made up of three broad components:
1. Social Resources
2. Personal Resources
3. Physical Resources
Protective Factors:
These are factors that lead to lower likelihoods of problem outcomes or reduce negative impact from
risk factors. These can include things such as high self-esteem, good coping mechanisms, and social
connections.
The SDH’s:
- Gender - Employment and Working Conditions - Disability
- Social Exclusion - Early Life - Housing
- Food Insecurity - Income and Distribution - Social Safety Net
- Health Services - Education - Unemployment
- Race - Indigenous Status
Health Advocacy:
There is a need to cultivate empathy and create health equity. Advocacy is important to help the causes
of those who need support to be fairly represented or defended. Advocates can bring about great social
change, but the individuals who spearhead these movements may also bring harmful ideologies into
their advocacy, such as racism, homophobia, or ableism.
, Module 2 – Measuring and Assessing Health:
Epidemiology and Global Health:
The study of the distribution and determinants of health-related states or events. This allows health
professionals to determine the best way to utilize resources to prevent disease and promote health.
While data is a powerful tool, it is important to recognize that it has been used against minority groups
and often collected against their will.
Decolonization of Data:
Data collected from indigenous populations is often used to frame them as a “problem minority” who
need help. This leads to additional external aid which creates a dependence on outside powers.
Indigenous Data Governance:
This means that data collected about indigenous people is controlled by indigenous people. This allows
them increased access to data and control over what to do with it. In Canada, the OCAP allows
indigenous people to have say over who has access to indigenous data and what to do with it.
Incidence and Prevalence:
Point Prevalence:
A measure of the proportion of a population that has a certain disease at a specific point in time. This is
very rarely used as the time it takes to survey large populations makes it difficult to be done for a single
point in time.
People with a disease
=rate
Population
Period Prevalence:
The measure of what proportion of a population has a disease over a period. It is much more useful for
epidemiology.
disease
People witha time period
the
=rate
Average population for time period
Cumulative Incidence:
A measure of risk where those already with the disease or incapable of getting it are excluded from the
total population at risk.
New Cases
=rate
Population at Risk
Incidence Density Rate (Person-Time IR):
Focuses on the length of time people were at risk of disease. It is measured by the number of people
who develop the disease divided by the number of person-years (#people at risk/#of years at risk).
