Diabetes mellitus can have a large impact on one’s life. Not only can Aboriginal poverty cause the development of diabetes, but it can also further exacerbate its effects and impact aspect of social and emotional wellness as well as physical health (Anderson 2011). Thus, when the immense rate of diabetes mellitus among Aboriginals and the need to social change were eventually relayed to the Canadian government, the issue began to be acknowledged in 1999 with the Aboriginal Diabetes Initiative (ADI) (Health Canada, 2013b). The ADI was developed to advocate for health promotion and diabetes prevention among this aggregate. Initially, this process fell exclusively on the community itself (Health Canada, 2013b). That is, the community and its member
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CHNs were and continue to be a major asset to those Aboriginals living with diabetes mellitus. They have the expertise to apply various medically based treatments as well as the knowledge to communicate with members of the community in order to gain insight into culturally appropriate health promotion strategies for those who have or may develop diabetes (CHNC, 2011; Quine, Hadjistavropoulos, & Alberts, 2012). Many of these health promotion strategies include all members of the community identifying potential health assets and resources and thereby creating a plan of change related to the issues at hand (CHNC, 2011). Identifying these potential health resources also impacts CHNs. It encourages them to work with the ADI so communities are able to draw from their cultural roots, work to implement potential care resources and as a result, gain the accompanied health and wellness benefits (Health Canada, 2013b). To date, the ADI continues to implement initiatives to improve the diabetes rate and reduce its negative impact on the lives Aboriginals (Health Canada, …show more content…
It allows all members of a given community to apply their strengths and take action on improving health and wellness (CHNC, 2011). Before a CHNs can build capacity with Aboriginal peoples, they must ensure their caring interventions and solutions do not strain cultural barriers (Harris, Bhattacharyya, Dyck, Naqshbandi Hayward, & Toth, 2013). This can be done by consulting the community’s Elder (King, King, Willis, Munt, & Semmens, 2012), or engaging in The Capacity Building and Training element of the ADI (Health Canada, 2013b). Once this has been taken into consideration, CHNs can build upon personal and community strengths, in addition to the health resources and assets available so they may develop various care and prevention strategies (Harris, Bhattacharyya, Dyck, Naqshbandi Hayward, & Toth, 2013). These strategies for maintaining a healthy lifestyle may combine Western medicine and cultural traditions, or reflect solely on one approach to care (Harris, Bhattacharyya, Dyck, Naqshbandi Hayward, & Toth, 2013). As a result, CHNs will be able to support, empower, and advocate for all Aboriginals, especially diabetics, to build capacity as well as taking charge of improving both personal and the communities lifestyle and health (Oster, Mayan, & Toth,
CHNs were and continue to be a major asset to those Aboriginals living with diabetes mellitus. They have the expertise to apply various medically based treatments as well as the knowledge to communicate with members of the community in order to gain insight into culturally appropriate health promotion strategies for those who have or may develop diabetes (CHNC, 2011; Quine, Hadjistavropoulos, & Alberts, 2012). Many of these health promotion strategies include all members of the community identifying potential health assets and resources and thereby creating a plan of change related to the issues at hand (CHNC, 2011). Identifying these potential health resources also impacts CHNs. It encourages them to work with the ADI so communities are able to draw from their cultural roots, work to implement potential care resources and as a result, gain the accompanied health and wellness benefits (Health Canada, 2013b). To date, the ADI continues to implement initiatives to improve the diabetes rate and reduce its negative impact on the lives Aboriginals (Health Canada, …show more content…
It allows all members of a given community to apply their strengths and take action on improving health and wellness (CHNC, 2011). Before a CHNs can build capacity with Aboriginal peoples, they must ensure their caring interventions and solutions do not strain cultural barriers (Harris, Bhattacharyya, Dyck, Naqshbandi Hayward, & Toth, 2013). This can be done by consulting the community’s Elder (King, King, Willis, Munt, & Semmens, 2012), or engaging in The Capacity Building and Training element of the ADI (Health Canada, 2013b). Once this has been taken into consideration, CHNs can build upon personal and community strengths, in addition to the health resources and assets available so they may develop various care and prevention strategies (Harris, Bhattacharyya, Dyck, Naqshbandi Hayward, & Toth, 2013). These strategies for maintaining a healthy lifestyle may combine Western medicine and cultural traditions, or reflect solely on one approach to care (Harris, Bhattacharyya, Dyck, Naqshbandi Hayward, & Toth, 2013). As a result, CHNs will be able to support, empower, and advocate for all Aboriginals, especially diabetics, to build capacity as well as taking charge of improving both personal and the communities lifestyle and health (Oster, Mayan, & Toth,