Objective To describe the rationale, the participatory nature of the methodology, and the lessons learned during the First Nations Food, Nutrition and Environment Study (FNFNES), a community-based participatory research project implemented in eight Assembly of First Nations regions, which includes the entirety of Canada south of the 60th parallel. Methods FNFNES respected the First Nations principles of Ownership, Control, Access and Possession (OCAP®) (https://fnigc.ca/ocap). A random sampling strategy based on an ecosystem framework comprising 11 ecozones was adopted to collect representative nutritional and environmental health results for all First Nations adults living on-reserve south of the 60th parallel. Data collection occurred during the fall months from 2008 to 2016. Respective First Nations were involved in the planning and implementation of data collection for the five principal components: household interviews, tap water sampling for metals, surface water sampling for pharmaceuticals, hair sampling for mercury, and traditional food sampling for contaminants. Results A total of 6487 adults from 92 First Nations participated in the Study (participation rate 78%). A higher percentage of females (66%) participated than males (34%). The average age of males and females was similar (44 and 45 years, respectively). This study offers a novel body of coherent and regionally representative evidence on the human dimension of the ongoing environmental degradation affecting First Nations. Conclusion FNFNES serves as a good example of participatory research. We encourage public health professionals to develop policy and programs building on the participatory dimension of the research as well as on its results. The information collected by the FNFNES is also important for community empowerment, environmental stewardship and the general promotion of good health by and for First Nations peoples in Canada.
ObjectivesTo review the published literature examining the impacts of the Aral Sea disaster on children’s health.MethodsA systematic review of the English language literature.ResultsThe literature search uncovered 26 peer-reviewed articles and four major reports published between 1994 and 2008. Anemia, diarrheal diseases, and high body burdens of toxic contaminants were identified as being among the significant health problems for children. These problems are associated either directly with the environmental disaster or indirectly via the deterioration of the region’s economy and social and health care services. While links between persistent organic pollutant exposures and body burdens are clear, health impacts remain poorly understood. No clear evidence for the link between dust exposure and respiratory function was identified.ConclusionWhile important questions about the nature of the child health and environment relationships remain to be answered, the literature unequivocally illustrates the seriousness of the public health tragedy and provides sufficient evidence to justify immediate action. Regrettably, international awareness of the crisis continues to be poor, and the level of action addressing the situation is wholly inadequate.
A collaborative research project with Noojmowin Teg Health Centre on Manitoulin Island, Ontario, examined the impacts of traditional medicine workshops on participants' perceptions of culture, health, and environment. Methods used in this research turned out to be as revealing as the results themselves. This article examines how geography and the social, physical, and affective elements of place inform research methodology and challenges the idea that qualitative methods can be applied generically irrespective of the context. While researchers reflect on the role of (social) place in influencing the research process and results, we argue that the place of research should also be taken into account to adopt and develop methodologies and data collection methods that are locally and culturally relevant. We discuss how ''art voice'' was a highly appropriate method in a community that has a rich history and contemporary culture of visual art. This article contributes to the growing movement toward seeking culturally relevant, community-based decolonizing methods, particularly in the context of Indigenous health research.
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