Canadian journal of public health = Revue canadienne de santé publique
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Can J Public Health · Nov 2010
Naturopathic medicine and aboriginal health: an exploratory study at Anishnawbe Health Toronto.
To explore the experiences and perceptions of providing and receiving naturopathic care within the Aboriginal community served by community health centre Anishnawbe Health Toronto. ⋯ The naturopathic clinic at AHT contributes to positive patient outcomes and satisfaction and helps address unmet health needs in this population. Naturopathic medicine may be well suited to address Aboriginal health care needs through its holistic and respectful approach to care and a foundation of traditional knowledge and research evidence for treatment of a person's mind, body and spirit.
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Can J Public Health · Sep 2010
CPHA and the social determinants of health: an analysis of policy documents and statements and recommendations for future action.
Recently published reports have raised the Social Determinants of Health (SDH) to a level of prominence that makes it difficult for governments and health agencies to ignore. This commentary analyzes CPHA (Canadian Public Health Association) policy statements and positions dating from 1970 to the present to identify where these stand in relation to seven SDH discourses. We locate where CPHA stands on the SDH, appraise its role in the SDH debate, and propose actions to better position CPHA to address SDH. ⋯ However, CPHA's response to the World Health Organization's Commission on the Social Determinants of Health shows a striking similarity to earlier commitments that have had limited impacts. We propose that CPHA consider analyzing some of the economic and political structures and justifying ideologies that have prevented its work in the public policy area from promoting public understanding and achieving public policy traction over the past 30 years. We also offer several steps that CPHA could take to reduce the gap between knowledge and action on the determinants of health in Canada.
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Previous large-scale population studies have reported that gay and bisexual men may be at increased risk for health disparities. This study was conducted to determine whether health status and health risk behaviours of Canadian men vary based on sexual orientation identity. ⋯ This study represents the largest-known population-based data analysis on health risks and behaviours among men of varying sexual orientations. These findings raise important concerns regarding the impact of sexual orientation on mental and sexual health. Limitations of this data set, including those associated with measurement of sexual orientation, are discussed. Further research is required to understand the mechanisms that influence these health resiliencies and disparities.