Evaluating the Association of Intermediate Social Determinants of Health, Dementia Modifiable Risk Factors, and Cognitive Health for On-Reserve First Nations Peoples

  • Brittany (she/her/kwe) is a Michi Saagiig-Nishinaabe and a member of the Michi Sagiig (Mississauga) of the Credit First Nation with mixed European heritage. She began her MA in clinical psychology at Lakehead University in 2023. Her research interests center on the prevention of the incidence and progression of chronic illnesses among Indigenous populations, community-based/led research, and Indigenous data sovereignty. Her thesis research, supervised by Dr. Christopher Mushquash and supported by Dr. Jennifer Walker, will focus on dementia research with First Nations in Northwestern Ontario. In the future, she aspires to be a clinical health psychologist working within Indigenous community-based research to address health disparities within First Nations communities.

The current and projected incidence and prevalence of dementia, a clinical syndrome marked by progressive neurodegeneration and cognitive decline, is higher among Indigenous populations in Canada.

The rise of dementia within Indigenous communities is believed to be driven by a higher prevalence of modifiable risk factors, such as physical inactivity, diabetes, and diet. Cultural and social connection and access to healthcare impact the incidence of many of the modifiable risk factors of dementia. Research has not investigated this relationship and its impact on cognitive health among Indigenous peoples.

The current study examines the relationship between connection to culture, social support, access to healthcare, the modifiable risk factors of dementia, and cognitive health among on-reserve First Nations peoples. We will use previously collected survey data (n = 1302) of First Nations peoples living on-reserve across Canada and sharing circle data of First Nations peoples living in Northwestern Ontario.

The project will be guided by the community partner, an Indigenous-led health services organization. Results will illuminate how cultural and social connection and access to healthcare may help influence dementia, inform future programming for the community partner and future research to develop interventions, and inform public policy.

This project is co-funded in partnership with Mitacs.