In order to create and advance relevant health programs and services for Métis Albertans and better advocate for our community’s health care needs, we first need to better understand their health experiences.
One way to understand health experiences is through public health monitoring. Public health monitoring is the collection, analysis, and interpretation of health-related data (i.e., surveys, vital statistics, administrative records, and disease registries) to understand health trends in the Métis community over time. This informs our research, interventions, and policies to improve Métis health and well-being.
In 2010, we signed an Information Sharing Agreement with Alberta Health to facilitate collecting de-identified (anonymous) health data of Métis Albertans to get a deeper understanding of our Citizens’ health outcomes and overall well-being. This agreement is the foundation of our public health monitoring activities, mainly creating epidemiological (health research) reports.
Current Research Projects
Health Research Reports
Together with the Analytics and Performance Reporting Branch of Alberta Health and academic partners at the University of Alberta, we have developed several epidemiologic reports demonstrating Métis Albertans’ unique health profile from non-Métis Albertans.
Health Infographics
Advocacy
The Department of Health advocates for the health needs of Métis Albertans through Framework Agreements with the Government of Canada and the Government of Alberta, and by providing strategic advice, guidance, and recommendations on health research initiatives, policies, programs, and services through the following provincial committees:
Indigenous Advisory Group on COVID-19 Testing
The purpose of the Indigenous Advisory Group on COVID-19 Testing is to provide advice and guidance to Alberta Health Services (AHS) on strategies to encourage and provide accessible testing to Indigenous peoples and communities.
Indigenous Cultural Competency Review Expert Advisory Group
Alberta’s Health Evidence Reviews play an important role in providing high-quality evidence, critical analysis, and an Alberta perspective on improving health care delivery by assessing costs and health outcomes. Reviews are intended to provide advice and recommendations on the best use of health technologies, services, and models of care. The role of the Expert Advisory Group is to advise on the review’s scope and direction, and contextualize its findings.
Indigenous Health Core Committee
The Indigenous Health Core Committee is committed to working together with Indigenous peoples, organizations, and dedicated partners to close the gap in health outcomes of First Nations, Métis, and Inuit peoples.
Indigenous Health Design Advisory Team
The Indigenous Health Design Advisory Team is committed to improving the health and healthcare experiences of Alberta’s Indigenous peoples by working in partnership with Indigenous communities to identify health priorities and design solutions. This team is currently focusing on the South Edmonton Hospital development.
Indigenous Integration Committee
The Indigenous Integration Committee provides Alberta Health with advice and guidance to support increased access to a continuum of addiction and mental health services for Indigenous people and communities.
Indigenous Maternal, Newborn, Child, and Youth Standing Committee
The purpose of the Indigenous Maternal, Newborn, Child, and Youth Standing Committee is to provide a provincial forum for clinical and Indigenous community stakeholders to address maternal, newborn, child, and youth health issues, and to recommend, develop, and direct strategies that improve health outcomes for Indigenous mothers and newborns in Alberta.
Rural Maternity Care Steering Committee
The Rural Maternity Care Steering Committee supports the planning of maternity care health services in the High Level Local Geographic Area (LGA).
Urban Indigenous Covid-19 Committee
The purpose of the Urban Indigenous COVID-19 Committee is to develop Indigenous-led structures, processes, and operations dedicated to addressing the needs of urban Indigenous peoples in the Edmonton Zone during the COVID-19 pandemic.