The WHO Commission on the Social Determinants of Health was established in 2005 to address health inequities within and between countries.  Within Canada the Public Health Agency of Canada established the Canadian Reference Group led by the Honourable Monique Bégin, to inform Canada’s contributions to the WHO Commission.  The expert members included Aboriginal health experts Bernice Downey and Dr. Margo Greenwood, Director of the National Collaborating Centre for Aboriginal Peoples’ Health (NCCAH).

The NCCAH, on behalf of the Canadian Reference Group, hosted and participated in a number of events that facilitated participation and input of Aboriginal peoples.  To support indigenous input into WHO Commission on Social Determinants of Health, papers were commissioned for presentation and discussion at the International Symposium on the Social Determinants of Indigenous Health Adelaide.  From Canada there were a number of papers presented, including First Nations Wholistic Policy and Planning Model, Discussion Paper for World Health Organization (WHO) Commission on Social Determinants of Health.

The Centre for Aboriginal Health Research prepared the First Nations Wholistic Policy and Planning Model paper in collaboration with Dr. Valerie Gideon, Assembly of First Nations. The paper was presented by the Assembly of First Nations at the International Symposium in Adelaide along with other Aboriginal groups from Canada and indigenous groups from around the world.

The First Nations Wholistic Policy and Planning Model paper provides an overview of the historical context for First Nations and their current health status in Canada, a comprehensive overview of social determinants of health with proposed interventions for critical health issues, and proposed model for policy development based on principles of recognition and reconciliation, and implementation and investment in self-governance.

Presentation

• Reading, J., Kmetic, A., & Gideon, V. (2007, April). First Nations wholistic policy and planning model: Discussion paper for the World Health Organization Commission on Social Determinants of Health. Presented at the International Symposium on the Social Determinants of Indigenous Health, Adelaide, South Australia.

Publication

• Reading, J., Kmetic, A., & Gideon, V. (2007). First Nations wholistic policy and planning model: Discussion paper for the World Health Organization Commission on Social Determinants of Health. Assembly of First Nations.