In 2014, the Sioux Lookout First Nations Health Authority (SLFNHA) and Dignitas International (DI) launched a partnership to support First Nations-led health care solutions for people living in remote Sioux Lookout Area (SLA) communities. Drawing upon the complementary experience and knowledge of both organizations, SLFNHA and DI jointly designed and implemented a pilot Community Health Worker (CHW) Diabetes Program in a number of Sioux Lookout Area communities.
The CHW Diabetes Program aims to strengthen diabetes care in remote communities that experience exceedingly high rates of type 2 diabetes and high turnover of fly-in health professionals. By training and empowering CHWs to play an active role in patient care, community members living with type 2 diabetes will experience better continuity of care and targeted support to manage their condition and prevent diabetes complications including hypertension, amputations, kidney failure, heart attacks and stroke.
In 2019, Dignitas International closed as an organization and transferred the Indigenous Health Partners Program and associated partnerships and projects to the University of Toronto Department of Family and Community Medicine (DFCM), Global Health and Social Accountability. SLFNHA and the DFCM continue to support the administration of the CHW Diabetes Program and its expansion to SLA communities.
Sioux Lookout First Nations Health Authority
The Sioux Lookout First Nations Health Authority (SLFNHA) serves 33 First Nation communities in the Sioux Lookout region in Ontario, Canada. Mandated by the leadership in these communities, SLFNHA is dedicated to strengthening First Nations by contributing in unique ways to a strong health system for the Anishinabe. This health system has many parts: First Nations with their primary responsibility for their people’s health; the secondary responsibilities of the Tribal Councils; the on-going Treaty responsibilities of the Government of Canada; and the support of the Nishnawbe Aski Nation and other health organizations.
The University of Toronto Department of Family and Community Medicine
The University of Toronto Department of Family and Community Medicine (DFCM) is recognized internationally for its clinical, educational and research excellence. The DFCM teaches, creates and disseminates knowledge in primary care, advancing the discipline of family medicine and improving health for diverse and underserved communities locally and globally.
The DFCM’s Global Health and Social Accountability Program is improving the health of vulnerable individuals and populations in Canada and internationally. The program aims to achieve health equity by championing family medicine and primary health care in Canada and around the world. By building and nurturing sustainable relationships with partners from Canada and across the globe, the program is fostering and creating future leaders, scholars and innovators in global health.