Module 2 Section 1

Question 1

What is Epidemiology?

Answer 1

• Epidemiology is the study of the distribution and determinants of health-related states or events (including disease), and the application of this study to the control of diseases and other health problems
• With respect to global health, epidemiological measurements and analysis help health professionals make informed decisions about how to best use resources to prevent disease and promote health

Question 2

Epidemiology Video

Answer 2

• Really important to measure health and to understand the measurements of health, to be able to look at interventions and look at things that you’re doing in global health to try and make things better
• You don’t know if you’re making them better unless you measure them before and after and see what’s working and what’s not working
• Or else you can waste a lot of time and money continuing to do the same intervention that isn’t working

Question 3

What role do measurements and assessments have in shaping health interventions?

Answer 3

Measurements and assessments in health reveal the need for health interventions. In addition, they provide evidence about whether or not health interventions are effective.

Question 4

Why Does Measurement Matter?

Answer 4

• The transcript discusses the importance of measurement in making foreign aid more effective.
• Today, programs can be evaluated based on measurable outcomes, such as whether bed nets are distributed, if people are receiving ARV medications, or if farmers’ productivity is improving.
• In the case of polio, data is used to track vaccination coverage and identify areas needing improvement.
• The speaker contrasts current aid efforts with those from previous decades, emphasizing that today’s approach is more data-driven, like a business, where adjustments are made based on numbers.
• The speaker concludes by highlighting the importance of using these resources effectively to make a real impact and encourages reading their annual letter.

Question 5

Examples of Epidemiological Questions

Answer 5

• What is the impact of the opioid crisis on mortality in Canada?
• What interventions are effective in reducing this mortality?
• Should the government spend more money on facilitating access to naloxone kits or on supervised consumption sites to reduce opioid-related deaths?

Question 6

Data Selection and Data Usage

Answer 6

• the epidemiological data collected on minority groups, such as Indigenous Peoples of Canada, comes from a place of colonization
• Data registries and databases will often identify Indigenous Peoples through the use of the Indian Registry
• For Indigenous Peoples in Canada, there are two conditions for reaching data sovereignty; the decolonization of data, or Indigenous data governance

Question 7

Decolonization of Data

Answer 7

• Although data that is collected is sometimes used to benefit Indigenous communities, we must recognize that it is often collected through a colonial framework. As Maggie Walter has noted, there are often 5 categories, or five D’s, of the colonization of Indigenous data. These include: disparity, depravation, disadvantage, dysfunction and difference
• These 5 categories are often used to classify Indigenous populations as ‘problematic’ and in need of help. This is especially harmful as this data can be used to rationalize dispossesion and the marginalization of specific communities, therefore leading to a false sense of dependency
• For example from Module 1, the rates of infectious diseases in Indigenous populations are higher than the general population of Canada. Such data might be used to rationalize the narrative that these communities need external help with their governance structure as they are unable to keep their communities safe. These narratives based on colonized data are often very harmful to the communities in question and should always be made in consultation

Question 8

Indigenous Data Governance

Answer 8

• Once data is collected, deciding who should have governance and who should use that data needs to be considered
• Fortunately, in Canada there are many cases of Indigenous governance over data; for example OCAP

Question 9

OCAP

Answer 9

• the First Nations Principles of OCAP (ownership, control, access, possession) means that First Nations control data collection processes in their communities
• Increased access to Indigenous data is important for communities to determine, under appropriate mandates and protocols, how to make decisions regarding why, how and by whom information is collected, used, or shared

Question 10

Indian Registry

Answer 10

People registered under the Indian Act are recognized by the federal government as
having Indian status. This means only Indigenous Peoples living in Canada who are registered with the
federal government will have their data recorded and counted to inform new policies.

Question 11

Sovereignty

Answer 11

The full right and power of a governing body over itself, without any interference from
outside sources or bodies.