CHILD & YOUTH DIABETES

Child & Youth Diabetes Strategy – Current Focus

The Diabetes Epidemic

Diabetes outcomes for all populations are of concern throughout the world, and diabetes rates in younger populations are increasing. The International Diabetes Federation lists Canada among the worst OECD (Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development) countries for diabetes prevalence.
In Canada, Indigenous Peoples – First Nations, Inuit and Métis – are exceptionally burdened with diabetes and its complications partially due to the disruptive impact of colonization. First Nations Peoples who are now 20 years old face up to an 80% risk of developing diabetes in their lifetimes and in some subgroups within this population, the risk is even higher.

Diabetes prevention and care is not just about physical health but also involves spiritual, emotional and mental aspects. Diabetes is a complex disease with multiple risk factors that vary by social circumstances, reflecting inadequate and unfair distribution of resources and opportunities, or what is referred to as social inequities. The COVID-19 pandemic challenged already limited opportunities with respect to diabetes prevention and care for Indigenous Peoples and has underscored the need to address the broader structural forces that affect health and wellbeing. Recognizing Indigenous organizations and communities are mobilizing significant diabetes-related efforts to create and implement community solutions, there is an urgency to enhance and support them.

Lawson Foundation’s Response

In 2021, the Foundation convened a group of strategic advisors to help us develop our approach. The advisors brought to our discussions a broad range of expertise and experience, including a deep knowledge of work in northern and remote Indigenous communities and in pediatric endocrinology, nursing, family medicine, community development, and equity in health care. Their expertise and advice were critical to creating a diabetes strategy in which Indigenous ways of knowing and being are integral to our approach.

Given the Foundation’s overall focus on the healthy development of children and youth, the Child & Youth Diabetes Strategy (CYDS) centres its work on children, youth and their families, including maternal and peri-natal health. Funded projects have an impact on Indigenous organizations and communities in northern and remote regions, where geography can often amplify health-related inequities.

The Foundation has made a 10-year commitment to the CYDS, recognizing that it takes time to build the knowledge, relationships and trust needed to develop and implement community-based initiatives as well as to measure outcomes. We see this strategy as a journey we will make together with Indigenous partners. The 10-year time frame allows the Foundation to hold an initial funding call plus some convening to test our approach, to reflect on progress and promising results, and to adapt and implement future funding and convening approaches.

Types of Projects and Funding

Through the CYDS, the Foundation will support initiatives that address the prevention of type 2 diabetes in northern and remote Indigenous communities in Canada. The focus on prevention includes health promotion approaches as well as care for those living with diabetes to prevent complications. We will look to fund the development, implementation and measurement of community-based prevention and health promotion initiatives that have a strong focus on knowledge exchange. We will also support projects and activities that seek to inform sound public policy.

Cohort Approach

The Foundation has made an initial investment of over $3 million in ten projects aimed at preventing type 2 diabetes and reducing health disparities in northern and remote communities over the next three years. These projects will have an impact on Indigenous organizations and communities in northern and remote regions. The first cohort of funded projects reflects the contemporary realities of Indigenous Peoples and their perspectives on their health status and futures.

CYDS Small Grants

Starting in 2022, the Lawson Foundation has provided a number of smaller grants to projects and programs outside of the cohort of 10 CYDS projects. These grants support organizations doing significant wholistic community-based work in diabetes prevention and management.

CYDS Virtual Learning and Connecting Series

Since 2023, this series has featured different speaker(s) on topics related to health and Indigenous communities. The goal of the series is to inform participants from various sectors about Indigenous communities and their relationships with health and wellness, as well as with chronic diseases like diabetes. Virtual gatherings through this series will foster and encourage relationships between speakers, foundation and nonprofit leaders, as well as researchers and policymakers who are looking at working with and better supporting Indigenous communities.

For more information on the Child and Youth Diabetes Strategy, please connect with Jeff LaPlante.