New study targets vaccine confidence for Indigenous youth
Researchers are taking a good, long look at vaccine confidence among Indigenous youth thanks to a new study through the Northern Ontario School of Medicine (NOSM).
"Lots of people get vaccinated, but just like in other areas, it's young people and youth who are the ones that are just a little less vaccinated -- and amongst Indigenous people, but also in mainstream, as well," said Marion Maar, one of the two principal investigators,.
Maar and family physician Dr. Maurianne Reade are looking at Indigenous youth specifically.
Reade said Indigenous people make up a large portion of the Island's population and there's a lot that needs to be understood.
"Peoples' ideas and motivations and what really inspire them to be involved, maybe as receiving a vaccine or even getting involved in vaccine trials," Reade told CTV News.
"For that reason … we are involving an Indigenous theatre group … Debajehmujig of Manitoulin Island, to try and figure out how we can best engage with youth," added Maar.
The researchers plan to use surveys and theatre-based engagement sessions to better understand lived experiences.
They're starting with the Island and if other partners come on board, they'll then expand. But for now it's got the support of local leadership.
"It's these pieces that have that local content that start to build the trust amongst communities because these are physicians that we trust locally," said Chief Linda Debassige of M'Chigeeng First Nation.
Debassige wrote a letter in support of the study.
"This team will demonstrate, through research, their ability to provide effective strategies that can be used across Canada that can be used to address vaccine hesitancy and improve confidence," she wrote.
The work is being funded through the Canadian Institutes for Health Research over the next two years, at $200,000.
They plan to share findings with Indigenous communities and with the public health sector across the country.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
B.C. tenants evicted for landlord's use after refusing large rent increase to take over neighbouring suite
Ashley Dickey and her mother rented part of the same Coquitlam duplex in three different decades under three different landlords.
Mountain guide dies after falling into a crevasse in Banff National Park
A man who fell into a crevasse while leading a backcountry ski group deep in the Canadian Rockies has died.
Expert warns of food consumption habits amid rising prices
A new survey by Dalhousie University's Agri-Food Analytics Lab asked Canadians about their food consumption habits amid rising prices.
MPP Sarah Jama asked to leave Ontario legislature for wearing keffiyeh
MPP Sarah Jama was asked to leave the Legislative Assembly of Ontario by House Speaker Ted Arnott on Thursday for wearing a keffiyeh, a garment which has been banned at Queen’s Park.
Charlie Woods, son of Tiger, shoots 81 in U.S. Open qualifier
Charlie Woods failed to advance in a U.S. Open local qualifying event Thursday, shooting a 9-over 81 at Legacy Golf & Tennis Club.
Ex-tabloid publisher testifies he scooped up possibly damaging tales to shield his old friend Trump
As Donald Trump was running for president in 2016, his old friend at the National Enquirer was scooping up potentially damaging stories about the candidate and paying out tens of thousands of dollars to keep them from the public eye.
Here's why provinces aren't following Saskatchewan's lead on the carbon tax home heating fight
After Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said the federal government would still send Canada Carbon Rebate cheques to Saskatchewan residents, despite Saskatchewan Premier Scott Moe's decision to stop collecting the carbon tax on natural gas or home heating, questions were raised about whether other provinces would follow suit. CTV News reached out across the country and here's what we found out.
Montreal actress calls Weinstein ruling 'discouraging' but not surprising
A Montreal actress, who has previously detailed incidents she had with disgraced Hollywood producer Harvey Weinstein, says a New York Court of Appeals decision overturning his 2020 rape conviction is 'discouraging' but not surprising.
Caleb Williams, Jayden Daniels and Drake Maye make it four NFL drafts with quarterbacks going 1-3
Caleb Williams is heading to the Windy City, aiming to become the franchise quarterback Chicago has sought for decades.