Aboriginal Community Leaders Create Innovative Health Advisory Circle
Nearly One-Third of Ontario’s Aboriginal Population Live in Toronto
TORONTO, ON (January 20, 2015) – Building on the strength and resiliency of Toronto’s Aboriginal population, an advisory circle of community leaders sets out to develop Toronto’s first Aboriginal Health Strategy, which aims to improve overall health outcomes for the local Aboriginal population.
The Toronto Central Local Health Integration Network (LHIN), Toronto Public Health and Anishnawbe Health Toronto have collaborated to create the Toronto Aboriginal Health Advisory Circle that aims to:
- Guide the development of the Aboriginal Health Strategy that will address the diverse needs of Toronto’s Aboriginal population.
- Implement a harmonized governance structure of Aboriginal cultural values and principles with mainstream organizational structures and mechanisms.
- Work to decrease the widening health disparity gap between Aboriginal and non- Aboriginal populations, including the social determinants of health.
The Toronto Aboriginal Health Advisory Circle includes 8 members from the urban Aboriginal community, each bringing a diverse set of skills and community expertise to the role. Membership includes representation from a balance of youth, elder, men, women and 2 spirited – all offering their individual experiences working in Aboriginal communities. The circle is also inclusive of the broad diversity of the Aboriginal community from across the province.
QUOTES
“The Toronto Central LHIN is home to more than 70,000 Aboriginal peoples that require unique and diverse health care services to address the range of health determinants that this group faces. Through the creation of the Toronto Aboriginal Health Advisory Circle, we are aiming to deliver specialized care by looking within the community for solutions and guidance to improve health outcomes for Aboriginal communities.”
— Camille Orridge, CEO, Toronto Central LHIN
“In Canada, evidence shows that Aboriginal people fare worse than non-Aboriginal people on a myriad of health and social indicators. As local health and social service providers, I know we want the same thing: a city where everyone can flourish and be healthy. When it comes to the health of Aboriginal people, we are not where we need to be and have much work to do together to improve Aboriginal health.”
— Dr. David McKeown, Medical Officer of Health, City of Toronto
QUICK FACTS
- Toronto Aboriginal Health Advisory Circle’s community launch took place at the Native Canadian Centre with a celebratory feast for community members on January 23rd, 2015.
About the Toronto Central LHIN
Toronto Central Local Health Integration Network (LHIN) has the highest concentration of health services in Ontario with more than 170 health service providers delivering 210 programs. Toronto Central LHIN is responsible for planning, integrating and funding local health services that meet the needs of 1.2 million residents and thousands of other Ontarians who come to Toronto for care.
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For more information
Ellen Blais
Aboriginal Health Lead and Communications Consultant
Toronto Central Local Health Integration Network
416-846-0826
ellen.blais@lhins.on.ca
NT5
