Aklavik H-Pylori Research and the Aklavik Health Committee

Aklavik Health CommitteeAklavik H-Pylori StudyAklavik’s Motto “NEVER SAY DIE”

History: Aklavik will be celebrating it 100 year Anniversary in 2010

Introduction

Health CommitteeHamlet of Aklavik

Aklavik Indian BandAklavik Community Corporation

Re-established 2004To address health concerns

To build communications betweenHealth Centre Staff and Community

CANHelp Working Group

• Canadian North Helicobacter pylori Working Group

– Est. 2006

• 3 goals

– Address community concerns

– Recommend clinical management strategies

– Reduce health risks

CANHelp Working Group

Aklavik Community Organizations

Rachel Munday

Nurse in Charge, Aklavik Health Centre

Aklavik Health Committee

Billy Archie,

Arctic Health Research Network, Aklavik Chapter

NWT Agencies

Andre Corriveau

Chief Medical Officer, Health and Social Services, NWT

John Morse

Medical Director, Stanton Territorial Health Authority

Leah Seaman

Beaufort-Delta Regional Health and Social Services

Authority

Susan Chatwood

Director, Arctic Health Research Network

Alberta Health Services

Robert Bailey

Director, Northern Health Services Network

University of Alberta

Principal Investigator: Karen Goodman

Epidemiology

Gastroenterology: Sander van Zanten, Justin Cheung

Amy Morse, Richard Fedorak

Microbiology: Monika Keelan, Joanne-Simala Grant

Pathology: Safwat Girgis

Anthropology: Christopher Fletcher

Health Policy: Carl Phillips

Aklavik H. pylori Project

Participation

• Participants recruited: 368

• Clinical surveys completed: 339

• Individuals with breath test results: 313

• Aklavik residents appearing for endoscopy: 200

• Individuals from whom biopsies were obtained: 194

• Epidemiology surveys completed to date:– Household: 94

– Individual: 167

Aklavik H. pylori Project

H. pylori Prevalence

• Proportion positive on breath test

58% (182/313)

Disseminating updates on the number tested and community-wide prevalence during the testing period motivated others to participate

April/July 2008

Chronic DisordersAklavik-Population 634

• Recent number from Nurse-In-Charge• these are the best figures I can come up with at the moment.•

• We seem to have 90 people on our "constant monitoring" list. This is less than I previously said, because we tried very hard to take off any "young people" and educate them to be responsible for their own health care without constant reminders of need to attend for blood pressure checks etc. Some children were also taken off as they are monitored through well-child clinic.

•

• Of course most chronic disorder clients have more than one disorder. For example all diabetics are monitored for diabetes, heart disease, high blood pressure and high cholesterol, so the numbers below don't add up to 90

•

• Diabetics 22 - adding to this list about 2-3 a year since I have been here• High blood pressure 16 (plus the 22 diabetics)• Heart disease 10 (plus the 22 diabetics)• Chest complaints 3 (but a lot more who are "self-monitoring" with chronic obstructive lung disease due to

smoking)• High cholesterol 8 (plus 22 diabetics)• Cancer survivors 13• Other conditions include osteoarthritis, thyroid disorders, rheumatoid arthritis, systemic lupus

erythematosus, psoriasis, Parkinson's, seizure disorders, fetal alcohol syndrome.

Aklavik’s October 2009 Recycling depot summary

• Glass 279• Aluminum 36,229 -90% pop cans approx.• Plastic 2,885<1 litre - approx.5% water bottles• Tetra Pak and Drink Pouch 652• Gable Top 2,062• Bi-Metal 0• Glass 0• *Aluminum* 0• Plastic 756> 1litre• Tetra Pak and Drink Pouch 106> 1 litre• Gable Top 74> 1 litre• Bi-Metal 0• Bag-in-a-Box 0• Glass - Refillable Bottle 0• Glass - Non Refillable Bottle 0• Aluminum• Other Material 0• Glass - Other Than Wine or Spirits 0• Other Material - Other Than Wine or Spirits• Any Material - Wine or Spirits 929• Total units collected 43,972

Where do we go now?

• Surviallience?

• How do we monitor trends?

• Who will lead?

• How do we reduce cost for quality foods?

•Pinpoint Source-water quality•Monitor Treatment/trends•Education•Relocate water treatment plant

Future Plans

Aklavik Community Economic Sustainable Development Plan Draft October 30, 2009

“Never Say Die”

Research Questions

• To address project goals, the following information is needed for targeted communities:

– How widespread is the infection?

– What environmental factors are associated with it?

– What health problems result from it?

– Who requires medical care related to it?

– What are the best ways to treat it?

– How can it be assessed in remote communities?

– How can communities be protected from it?

– How can communities understand the obstacles to finding and implementing effective solutions?

– How can communities recognize benefits from research on community health problems that may be difficult to solve?