Cross-jurisdictional pandemic management: providers speaking on the experience of Nunavut Inuit accessing services in Manitoba during the COVID-19 pandemic

Lavoie, Josée G.; Clark, Wayne; McDonnell, Leah; Nickel, Nathan; Dutton, Rachel; Kanayok, Janet; Fowler-Woods, Melinda; Anawak, Jack; Brown, Nuqaalaq; Voisey Clark, Grace; Evaluardjuk-Palmer, Tagaak; Wong, Sabrina T.; Sanguins, Julianne; Mudryj, Adriana; Mullin, Nastania; Ford, Marti; Clark, Judy

doi:10.1080/22423982.2023.2259122

Cited by 4 publications

(3 citation statements)

References 18 publications

Supporting

Mentioning

Contrasting

Order By: Relevance

“…The combination of remoteness, proactive public health measures informed by prior pandemic experiences, and Indigenous knowledge enabled certain communities with high socioeconomic and health vulnerabilities to navigate the early stages of the pandemic effectively and be better prepared for the arrival of COVID-19 ( 24 , 27 , 39 ). Implementing early preventive measures that were culturally appropriate, such as placing the highest priority on protecting vulnerable elders from infectious disease, providing health education campaigns in native languages using tribally relevant imagery and themes, providing COVID-19 vaccination programs through fly-in/fly-out village nursing programs, and utilizing public outreach campaigns through popular local radio stations and social media sites were critically important in many of these Arctic Indigenous communities ( 8 , 64 , 65 ).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Regional geographies and public health lessons of the COVID-19 pandemic in the Arctic

Tiwari,

Petrov,

Golosov

et al. 2024

Front. Public Health

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

ObjectivesThis study examines the COVID-19 pandemic’s spatiotemporal dynamics in 52 sub-regions in eight Arctic states. This study further investigates the potential impact of early vaccination coverage on subsequent COVID-19 outcomes within these regions, potentially revealing public health insights of global significance.MethodsWe assessed the outcomes of the COVID-19 pandemic in Arctic sub-regions using three key epidemiological variables: confirmed cases, confirmed deaths, and case fatality ratio (CFR), along with vaccination rates to evaluate the effectiveness of the early vaccination campaign on the later dynamics of COVID-19 outcomes in these regions.ResultsFrom February 2020 to February 2023, the Arctic experienced five distinct waves of COVID-19 infections and fatalities. However, most Arctic regions consistently maintained Case Fatality Ratios (CFRs) below their respective national levels throughout these waves. Further, the regression analysis indicated that the impact of initial vaccination coverage on subsequent cumulative mortality rates and Case Fatality Ratio (CFR) was inverse and statistically significant. A common trend was the delayed onset of the pandemic in the Arctic due to its remoteness. A few regions, including Greenland, Iceland, the Faroe Islands, Northern Canada, Finland, and Norway, experienced isolated spikes in cases at the beginning of the pandemic with minimal or no fatalities. In contrast, Alaska, Northern Sweden, and Russia had generally high death rates, with surges in cases and fatalities.ConclusionAnalyzing COVID-19 data from 52 Arctic subregions shows significant spatial and temporal variations in the pandemic’s severity. Greenland, Iceland, the Faroe Islands, Northern Canada, Finland, and Norway exemplify successful pandemic management models characterized by low cases and deaths. These outcomes can be attributed to successful vaccination campaigns, and proactive public health initiatives along the delayed onset of the pandemic, which reduced the impact of COVID-19, given structural and population vulnerabilities. Thus, the Arctic experience of COVID-19 informs preparedness for future pandemic-like public health emergencies in remote regions and marginalized communities worldwide that share similar contexts.

show abstract

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Regional geographies and public health lessons of the COVID-19 pandemic in the Arctic

Tiwari,

Petrov,

Golosov

et al. 2024

Front. Public Health

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

“…Previous work by our research team, under the leadership of Elders and the Manitoba Inuit Association, provided key supporting evidence of needs (see [ 10 , 12 ]for a more detailed discussion). The algorithm developed by our team to identify Inuit in datasets was mobilised to produce bi-weekly COVID-19 specific data [ 14 ]. While opportune, it is somewhat concerning to think that other urban jurisdictions which are home to Inuit (St Johns, Montreal, Ottawa, Edmonton) have not been extended the same opportunities.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…At the beginning of the pandemic, we mobilised to support MIA’s COVID-19 response [ 12 , 13 ]. We have published a manuscript on the impact of the pandemic on Inuit who travelled to Manitoba to access services [ 14 ].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Mitigating the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on Inuit living in Manitoba: community responses

Lavoie,

Clark,

McDonnell

et al. 2023

International Journal of Circumpolar Health

Self Cite

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

We document community responses to the COVID-19 pandemic among Inuit living in the province of Manitoba, Canada. This study was conducted by the Manitoba Inuit Association and a Council of Inuit Elders, in partnership with researchers from the University of Manitoba. We present findings from 12 health services providers and decision-makers, collected in 2021.Although Public Health orders led to the closure of the Manitoba Inuit Association’s doors to community events and drop-in activities, it also created opportunities for the creation of programming and events delivered virtually and through outreach. The pandemic exacerbated pre-existing health and social system’s shortcomings (limited access to safe housing, food insecurity) and trauma-related tensions within the community. The Manitoba Inuit Association achieved unprecedented visibility with the provincial government, receiving bi-weekly reports of COVID-19 testing, results and vaccination rates for Inuit. We conclude that after over a decade of advocacy received with at best tepid enthusiasm by federal and provincial governments, the Manitoba Inuit Association was able effectively advocate for Inuit-centric programming, and respond to Inuit community’s needs, bringing visibility to a community that had until then been largely invisible. Still, many programs have been fueled with COVID-19 funding, raising the issue of sustainability.

show abstract

Diverse methodological approaches to a Circumpolar multi-site case study which upholds and responds to local and Indigenous community research processes in the Arctic

Healey Akearok,

Chaliak,

Cueva

et al. 2024

International Journal of Circumpolar Health

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Cross-jurisdictional pandemic management: providers speaking on the experience of Nunavut Inuit accessing services in Manitoba during the COVID-19 pandemic

Cited by 4 publications

References 18 publications

Regional geographies and public health lessons of the COVID-19 pandemic in the Arctic

Regional geographies and public health lessons of the COVID-19 pandemic in the Arctic

Mitigating the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on Inuit living in Manitoba: community responses

Diverse methodological approaches to a Circumpolar multi-site case study which upholds and responds to local and Indigenous community research processes in the Arctic

Contact Info

Product

Resources

About