Our Health, Our Seventh Generation, Our Future: 2015 Aboriginal Health Access Centres Report
Full report available here:
Our Health, Our Seventh Generation, Our Future: 2015 Aboriginal Health Access Centres Report
AHACs are collectively working toward a self-determined, independent future – free from addictions and avoidable illness – in which all Aboriginal people feel able to achieve their full potential. This will be enhanced when we receive equitable funding, and recognition that culture is healing – that our ways of knowing and doing are equal to those of all other nations.
A Glimpse
“In 1994, the Province of Ontario initiated the Aboriginal Health and Wellness Strategy (AHWS) to promote healing and health among Aboriginal people as a commitment to address the alarmingly poor health and high incidence of family violence resulting from colonialism.
…
One of the pillars of AHWS was the creation of Aboriginal Health Access Centres (AHACs), with the objective of providing culturally-appropriate health care and an emphasis on tradition, healing, wellness, and delivering quality and culturally relevant health care.”
Ontario’s AHACs 20 years later
- In 2014, AHACs served over 50, 000 Aboriginal people in Ontario.
- Between 2013 and 2014, over 30, 000 Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal clients were seen by AHACs for traditional programs.
- The top reasons for clients accessing primary care services are for diabetes (type II), mental health, hypertension, and well care.
- The core health funding inequities AHACs face in relation to their Community Health Centre (CHC) counterparts are crippling … funding parity is crucial for the AHACs’ success.
