Because Data Drives Policy: The importance of defining Health Indicators
Measuring progress on First Nation individual, family and community health and well-being enables service providers the ability to develop and deliver services appropriately constructed for specific needs. The Transformative Change Accord: First Nation Health Plan lists 7 health indicators.
» Life expectancy at birth;
» Mortality rates (deaths due to all causes);
» Status Indian youth suicide rates;
» Infant mortality rates;
» Diabetes rates;
» Childhood obesity; and,
» Practising, certified First Nations health care professionals.
The presence of these indicators in the Health Plan does not limit the First Nation Health Council and First Nation communities/service providers from developing additional indicators that reflect the overall well-being in communities. Indicators do not need to only measure illness, death and suicide rates. They can also measure positive outcomes such as traditional practices at the community level, education levels, and sport/recreation participation levels.