Established in 2005 by the Government of Canada, and funded through the Public Health Agency of Canada, the National Collaborating Centre for Aboriginal Health (NCCAH) is one of six centres in the National Collaborating Centres for Public Health program, each focusing on a different aspect of public health. Together, the centres help improve response to chronic disease and injury, infectious diseases, environmental health and health disparities.¹

The NCCAH supports a renewed public health system that is inclusive and respectful of diverse First Nations, Inuit, and Métis peoples. NCCAH initiatives focus on strengthening the links between evidence, knowledge, practice and policy in support of the public health goals of First Nations, Inuit and Métis peoples. The NCCAH is building upon a strong foundation in its key program areas of the social determinants of Indigenous health, and child and youth health.¹

Innovative partnerships have helped garner national and international public attention for Indigenous child health issues, global initiatives and a social determinants approach to health, ensuring a broad reach among medical professionals, educators, communities and a wide variety of organizations.¹

As NCCAH looks ahead, they are responding to new and emerging priorities, with a growing emphasis on Indigenous environmental health issues, which are a significant concern to communities.¹

¹National Collaborating Centre for Aboriginal Health website -accessed June 4, 2018.