What you need to know about Indigenous women’s heart health 

Did you know Indigenous people, especially women, are more likely than other people in Canada to die from heart disease?
Bernice Downey, associate dean of Indigenous health at the Faculty of Health Sciences, is a medical anthropologist who specializes in Indigenous health, health literacy and Indigenous Traditional Knowledge and health/research system reform for Indigenous populations.
Downey says the inequality in how Indigenous women experience cardiovascular disease is due to many variables including poverty, systemic barriers to high-quality health care and poor access to healthy food and clean water as a result of far-reaching discriminatory policies.
“In spite of this litany of negative impact related to colonialism and oppression, Indigenous women identify cultural connections such as sharing traditional knowledge about healthy living and ceremony as integral factors for preserving the health of Indigenous women and their communities,” says Downey.
Downey’s Mending Broken Hearts “Odayimann" Project aims to help Indigenous women feel confident and capable in the self-management of their heart health and overall well-being by educating healthcare providers about Indigenous women’s lives and how they think about health and well-being.
“Women report that reconnecting or strengthening relationships with their children and grandchildren was a route to healing their heart. Staying connected to community and having a support system of friends and family were identified as important factors for Indigenous women's heart health,” Downey added.
In this video, Downey shares what you need to know about Indigenous women’s heart health.
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The information in this video was accurate as of the upload date, 29/06/2023. The information provided in this video is for information purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. For any medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment, it is important to consult your health care professional.