Vancouver Coastal Health delivers quality health services to the people and communities we serve. Read more...
While Canadians are among some of the healthiest people in the world, many Aboriginal people cannot say the same. For various reasons, Aboriginal people do not enjoy the same health status as their peers. In fact, Aboriginal people are over-represented in many negative health statistics. That is why VCH and our Aboriginal Health Team are working with Aboriginal communities to positively address individual and community health issues in a way that is inclusive of Aboriginal people’s input and cultural beliefs, identifies any barriers that may exist, and incorporates successful strategies.
“Aboriginal people are the fastest growing population in Canada, and will be an important part of our economy in the coming decades. It is imperative that we do all that we can to support initiatives that help Aboriginal communities to improve the health status of their members” Ida Goodreau, Vancouver Coastal Health President & CEO.
The Aboriginal Health and Wellness Plan for 2008 - 2011 will further establish an integrated and co-ordinated approach to improving the health of Aboriginal people and to understanding the diversity of culture and needs of each community. It is the culmination of a range of planning and engagement activities over the past number of years. The Aboriginal Health and Wellness Plan provides a holistic and action-oriented response to the fundamental issues of health and well being facing Aboriginal people today.
The Vancouver Coastal Health Aboriginal Health Status Profile presents a number of health indicators, which are used to measure and describe the health and wellbeing of the Aboriginal population in the region. The report provides a compilation of available health indicators from local, provincial, and federal agencies. This information is supplemented by narrative descriptions and local interpretations.
Aboriginal Mental Health and Addictions Forum - September 24 and 25, 2009
This Forum was organized in response to the strategic priority identified in the 2008 - 2011 VCH Aboriginal Health and Wellness Plan: To understand, improve and better coordinate mental health and addictions services for Aboriginal clients and communities. It was held at the Vancouver Aboriginal Friendship Center with approximately 175 participants per day in attendance, including representatives from VCH and Providence Health Care as well as First Nation, Métis, and Aboriginal representatives from throughout the VCH region.
Guiding Principles
VCH is committed to improving the health status and wellness of Aboriginal people in the region through:
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"Aboriginal health in general is improving, but we still cannot afford to take these issues lightly. There is increasing information and opportunities for us all to work together to improve our own health and that of Aboriginal people in general by contributing to the health of our families and communities. I encourage all Aboriginal people to join me in living healthier, educating others about wellness in general, and by considering entering the health professions." Evan Adams, MD - Sliammon First Nation (Coast Salish)
Terminology
The term Aboriginal is inclusive of all on and off-reserve, urban and rural, status and non-status, Metis, and Inuit community members. Click here to view our Terminology and Common Practices & Concepts page.
Employment within VCH
VCH is committed to providing opportunities for Aboriginal people to work within our team. In order to achieve this goal, we have partnered with the Aboriginal Employment Partnership Initiative to identify and implement ways in which we can recruit and retain qualified Aboriginal people. To find out more, click here.
If you are interested in information about health related Education & Training, click here to view our listings.
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