First Nations and Inuit Health Services: Health Promotion and Disease Prevention

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Health Canada's key objectives in relation to First Nations health are to improve health outcomes; ensure availability of, and access to, quality health services and support greater control of the health system by First Nations.

To meet these goals, funding supports three broad areas: 

• primary health care, which includes health promotion and disease prevention, public health protection and primary care activities;
• supplementary health benefits and
• health infrastructure support.

Of the $2.4 billion in current planned spending for 2011-12, approximately 49 per cent will fund supplementary health benefits, 41 per cent will fund primary health care activities and 10 per cent will focus on health infrastructure support.

Health Promotion and Disease Prevention

Health Canada works closely with national Aboriginal organizations and communities to provide funding for culturally relevant, community-based, health promotion and disease prevention programs and services that focus on three targeted areas: healthy child development, mental wellness, and healthy living.

Healthy child development programming provides increased access to a range of supports for women and families with young children from preconception through pregnancy, birth and parenting. This includes home visits by community health nurses and family visitors with a focus on nutrition and breastfeeding support. Funding also supports health promotion and disease prevention activities related to early childhood development and focuses on education, nutrition, culture/language, social support and parental involvement.

Community mental wellness needs are met through mental health promotion and suicide prevention programming, substance abuse prevention and treatment programs, and the Indian Residential Schools Resolution Health Support Program. These culturally-relevant programs and services are guided by community priorities, and integrate mainstream, traditional and cultural knowledge to increase protection and reduce risk factors for mental health and addictions issues.

Healthy living funding supports programs to improve health outcomes associated with chronic diseases and injuries among First Nations and Inuit. Initiatives promote healthy behaviours and supportive environments, particularly in the areas of healthy eating, food security and physical activity, and address chronic disease prevention, screening and management.