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Diabetes:
Promote awareness of diabetes, its risk factors,and the value of healthy lifestyle practices; and provide information to First Nations about the Aboriginal Diabetes Initiative.
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Early Childhood Development (ECD):
Liase with First Nations regions and communities in addressing the critical need for ECD programs and funding; relay ECD concerns to Health Canada; work toward a higher level of ECD capacity and engagement at the national, regional, and community levels.
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HIV/AIDS:
Liase with First Nations regions and communities in addressing HIV/AIDS and extend linkages to support Peer Youth Education (PYE); provide national HIV/AIDS coordination activities concerning First Nations; and increase the capacity of First Nation communities to plan and deliver PYE.
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First Nations’ Research and Information Governance:
Develop partnerships and linkages to improve the health of First Nations through e-health (electronic health) initiatives, tele-health, and Regional Health Surveys (RHS). Ongoing work to ensure Ownership, Access, Control, and Possession (OCAP) of all First Nations health data.
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Home and Community Care:
Advocate and advance a better understanding of the continuing care needs of First Nations. Build awareness, capacity and communications; share and listen to community leaders, Elders, and service providers.
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Injury Prevention:
Work towards reducing the injury rates among First Nations people by developing a coordinated approach to support First Nations injury prevention and control activities, as well as coordinating and monitoring regional and national injury prevention activities; address outstanding issues related to injury prevention; and increase First Nations’ communities injury prevention knowledge, awareness and activities.
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Non-Insured Health Benefits (NIHB):
Advance and protect the right to quality health services and drug coverage for all First Nations’ citizens, regardless of residency. Keep First Nations’ leaders and health professionals informed of NIHB issues, priorities, key pressures, and management activities.
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Public Health:
Work to develop a First Nations’ public health framework that will include holistic and culturally appropriate programs; better inter-relationships and collaborative delivery models; a health human resources strategy; and a comprehensive health protection and promotion plan. Also develop an emergency planning guideline to deal with pandemic influenza and other communicable disease outbreaks.
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Suicide Prevention & Mental Health:
Work to reduce the unacceptably high rate of suicide among First Nations – youth suicide is at epidemic levels. This will be achieved through establishing internal and external linkages with suicide prevention programs; and examining the accessibility of mental health services for First Nations as a means to identify gaps in services and resources in suicide prevention. The AFN has also test-piloted a Cultural, Economic, Political, Social (CEPS) training program for youth leadership and empowerment.
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Tobacco Control Strategy:
Encourage smoking prevention, cessation, and treatment programs at the First Nation community level. Increase awareness of the health dangers caused by second-hand smoke on pregnant women and children. Support and encourage the promotion of smoke-free public places in First Nations communities.
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AFN Health and Social Communications:
Provide internal and external communications support to the policy analysts in all program areas. Provide media releases, talking points, fact sheets, and speeches. Disseminate information to First Nations, the media, and the general public. Raise awareness of First Nations’ health and social issues.
