Article
Environmental Sciences
Amira Aker, Pierre Ayotte, Elyse Caron -Beaudoin, Amila De Silva, Sylvie Ricard, Eric Gaudreau, Melanie Lemire
Summary: This study investigated the distribution and exposure determinants of perfluoroalkyl acids (PFAAs) among Inuit adults. The results showed that the exposure to PFAAs was twice as high compared to the general Canadian population, with some PFAAs concentrations being 7-fold higher. Males had higher concentrations of perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) and perfluorohexane sulfonate (PFHxS), while females had higher concentrations of perfluorodecanoic acid (PFDA) and perfluoroundecanoic acid (PFUnDA).
Article
Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
Madeleine Pawlowski, Mylene Riva, Christopher Fletcher, Marie-Claude Lyonnais, David Arsenault-Hudon
Summary: This study aimed to understand the perceptions of Inuit youth aged 12-18 in the Nunavik region of northern Quebec regarding community health, by identifying community conditions that support health and exploring their conceptualization of a healthy community. Through a participatory photovoice activity, twelve key community conditions were identified, and the youth viewed a healthy community as an intact and unbroken place, visualized through the analogy of an inuksuk used for wayfinding. The findings confirm and strengthen existing models of Inuit health, while offering fresh perspectives and concepts relevant to the younger generation.
CANADIAN JOURNAL OF PUBLIC HEALTH-REVUE CANADIENNE DE SANTE PUBLIQUE
(2022)
Article
Family Studies
Ashley L. Quinn
Summary: The study delved into the experiences of intergenerational trauma, cultural connections, and identity among Indigenous former youth in child welfare care, highlighting the importance of cultural connections, life purpose, cultural identity, and spirituality in the pathway to well-being.
CHILD ABUSE & NEGLECT
(2022)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Yueli Chen, Lingxiao Wang, Monique Bernier, Ralf Ludwig
Summary: This study presents a seasonal threshold approach using remote sensing data from the Sentinel-1 database to estimate the freeze/thaw (FT) state in the terrestrial cryosphere. The accuracy of the estimation was found to be acceptable (>70%) in most tests, and even reached over 90% accuracy in the best-performing sites. The study also discussed the performance of the seasonal threshold approach considering land cover, spatial heterogeneity, and soil depth.
Article
Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
Ashley Hayward, Larissa Wodtke, Aimee Craft, Tabitha Robin, Janet Smylie, Stephanie McConkey, Alexandra Nychuk, Chyloe Healy, Leona Star, Jaime Cidro
Summary: Qualitative methods have been dominant in the literature on Indigenous research methods but there is a need to decolonize and Indigenize quantitative research methods, particularly in epidemiology, to address health inequities faced by Indigenous populations. Indigenous epidemiology can include a variety of approaches such as shifting standards, setting recruitment targets, acting as a bridge between Indigenous and Western perspectives, and developing culturally appropriate data collection tools. Recent Canadian studies have operationalized decolonization and Indigenization in epidemiology and future capacity-building initiatives aim to further enhance this process.
SSM-POPULATION HEALTH
(2021)
Article
Psychology, Multidisciplinary
Kuang-Hui Yeh
Summary: Most nonwestern researchers view indigenous psychology as a global movement against the dominance of Western psychology in representing the mind and investigating local mentality. The need for constructing indigenous theories and conducting research arises from the inability of existing theories, particularly Western mainstream ones, to explain or clarify local phenomena.
REVIEW OF GENERAL PSYCHOLOGY
(2023)
Review
Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
Udoka Okpalauwaekwe, Clifford Ballantyne, Scott Tunison, Vivian R. Ramsden
Summary: Indigenous youth in Canada face health inequities due to historical and contemporary colonial policies. Current wellness promotion strategies lack cultural inclusivity. This study explores ways to enhance health and wellness among Indigenous youth by identifying barriers and facilitators.
Article
Economics
Michael Barber, Maggie E. C. Jones
Summary: The study reveals a substantial achievement gap in math scores between Indigenous and white youth in Canada from 1996 to 2008. Despite recommendations for improvement in the public education system for Indigenous students in 1996, the gap did not narrow, with unobservable factors driving the majority of the disparity among high achieving students.
ECONOMICS OF EDUCATION REVIEW
(2021)
Letter
Immunology
Luke B. Harrison, Michael D. Libman, Chelsea Caya, Momar Ndao, Cedric P. Yansouni
Summary: Prolonged eosinophilia is a characteristic of trichinellosis. Through a study on trichinellosis cases, we determined the threshold of eosinophil counts and recommend testing when the count is ≥ 0.8 x 10(9) cells/L.
EMERGING INFECTIOUS DISEASES
(2022)
Review
Medicine, General & Internal
Leah Carrier, Hwayeon Danielle Shin, Melissa A. Rothfus, Janet A. Curran
Summary: Mental health concerns in Indigenous youth in Canada are a significant issue, exacerbated by limited access to appropriate care and resources. However, these youth also possess unique strengths and resilience that can promote mental health and wellness. Interventions that account for their culture show promise in addressing mental health issues effectively.
Article
Biology
Jehane Y. Abed, Thibaud Godon, Fadwa Mehdaoui, Pier-Luc Plante, Maurice Boissinot, Michel G. Bergeron, Richard E. Belanger, Gina Muckle, Natalia Poliakova, Pierre Ayotte, Jacques Corbeil, Elsa Rousseau
Summary: This study used comparative metagenomics to investigate the unique gut microbiome of Nunavik Inuit, revealing a higher diversity and distinctive taxonomic and functional characteristics compared to other populations. The findings indicate a potentially important role of gut microbiome in the health of Nunavik Inuit.
COMMUNICATIONS BIOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
Amira Aker, Pierre Ayotte, Chris Furgal, Tiff-Annie Kenny, Matthew Little, Marie-Josee Gauthier, Amelie Bouchard, Melanie Lemire
Summary: This study aimed to identify underlying dietary profiles among Inuit people in Nunavik, Canada, and found that different age and gender groups showed variations in consumption of traditional and market foods. Those with low consumption of both traditional and market foods were more likely to experience food insecurity markers.
CANADIAN JOURNAL OF PUBLIC HEALTH-REVUE CANADIENNE DE SANTE PUBLIQUE
(2022)
Article
Health Policy & Services
Sabrina Lopresti, Noreen D. Willows, Kate E. Storey, Tara-Leigh F. McHugh
Summary: The Indigenous Youth Mentorship Program (IYMP) is a peer-led health promotion program that aims to improve children's health and wellbeing and empower Indigenous youth and communities. This descriptive qualitative study identified the essential characteristics of the IYMP program, including the formation of a community of practice (CoP), shared interest in Indigenous health/wellbeing and social justice, relationships, mentorship, and taking a decolonizing research approach.
HEALTH PROMOTION INTERNATIONAL
(2022)
Article
Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
Stephanie Montesanti, Kayla Fitzpatrick, Tara Azimi, Tara McGee, Bryan Fayant, Lorraine Albert
Summary: In May 2016, a wildfire in northern Alberta, Canada had negative effects on the physical and mental stress, social relationships, and overall resilience among Indigenous residents. The study showed that Indigenous residents coping with the wildfire were influenced by heightened physical and emotional stress, existing structural inequities, and strong community cohesion and connection to culture.
QUALITATIVE HEALTH RESEARCH
(2021)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Mariana de Moraes Pontual, Pierre Ayotte, Matthew Little, Chris Furgal, Amanda D. Boyd, Gina Muckle, Ellen Avard, Sylvie Ricard, Marie-Josee Gauthier, Elhadji Anassour-Laouan Sidi, Melanie Lemire
Summary: The study found that pregnant Inuit women in Nunavik have varying levels of methylmercury exposure throughout different seasons, with beluga meat being a primary source of intake. Further research is needed to understand fluctuations in local diet over the year to accurately assess methylmercury exposure.
SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT
(2021)