Project 449127

The primary objective for this proposal and our primary research question is to understand the impact and evaluate the effectiveness of the Diabetes Connections Initiative, an integrated, multi-level, community-first intervention that addresses diabetes and its associated morbidity and mortality through four strategic areas: 1. Community health workers have the capacity to assist with the delivery of diabetes prevention and care close to people's own homes as valued members of a primary health care team. 2. Improved quality of diabetes prevention and care throughout a person's life cycle with a focus on trauma-informed and culturally-appropriate care. 3. Enhanced integration of health information systems and community-relevant data sharing to support evidence-based decision making for diabetes in the region. 4. Increased community ownership for diabetes prevention and care through integrated knowledge translation. We will utilize an implementation science (IS) framework integrated with Indigenous ways of knowing and learning for our research methodology. A collaborative approach is a key foundational element of our partnerships, and thus a community-based participatory research approach underpins all research decision-making and direction. Our multidisciplinary team is well placed to conduct this work, as collectively, we have decades of collaborating to co-create and co-learn together. Our team consists of: First Nations and allied researchers (new investigators and experienced) who have extensive experience in developing meaningful and reciprocal partnerships with Indigenous communities; front-line and managerial staff from the Indigenous-led Sioux Lookout First Nations Health Authority (SLFNHA); community representation in the form of health directors, community health care workers, Elders and knowledge keepers; and regional health systems managers, funders and policy-makers.