Understanding aging and cognition in Indigenous populations in Canada

There is ample evidence that Indigenous populations in Canada experience higher than average rates of age-related health challenges at younger ages. The complexity of these multiple health challenges at younger ages can substantially impact quality of life and the ability to age well. Additionally, Indigenous populations in Canada have less infrastructure for community-based supports and services for older people and their families. Existing health and health systems data are often analyzed using a medicalised, deficit-based approach to understanding health that is largely inconsistent with Indigenous perspectives on wellbeing, leading to findings that are not seen as valid, useful, or culturally relevant by the communities. Analysing data from the Canadian Longitudinal Study on Aging (CLSA) in ways that respect Indigenous principles of data governance will enable Indigenous people to tell the story of aging in their communities including an overall health profile, access to care, and the impact of social and cultural factors on the experience of aging.