A pioneering report and a series of papers from Chiefs of Ontario (COO), in partnership with a research team funded by an OSSU IMPACT award and ICES, will fill gaps in understanding about diabetes and its impact on First Nations people in Ontario. Dr. Michael Green and his team from the IMPACT Award Understanding diabetes in First Nations communities launched a series of research papers in CMAJ Open and concurrently issued a pioneering report on diabetes in this population.
The project received funding from OSSU in 2015 to demonstrate the impact of patient engagement in research that will improve health and the health system. Patient and community engagement has been key to the project, and includes partners from Chiefs of Ontario, First Nations patients, families, elders and community members.