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Faculty of Health Sciences

Indigenous Health Data and Aging

Publications

Explore a diverse array of scholarly articles created by Jennifer Walker’s team on essential health and Indigenous research topics. Discover groundbreaking studies on COVID-19 response and Indigenous data rights. Dive into insightful investigations on dementia in Indigenous communities and community trials integrating healing practices. From health equity to dementia prevention, this collection offers a wealth of knowledge aimed at fostering positive change.

Learn about the research projects our team supports.

Research projects

Expandable List

  1. Sharmistha M, Walker JD, Wilhelm L, Larivière V, Bubela T, Straus SE. Use and misuse of research: Canada’s response to covid-19 and its health inequalities. BMJ Open.
  2. Submitted. Spiro GM, Rosella L, Sutcliffe P, Whissell C, Walker JD. Northern and rural perspectives on health equity measurement in Northern Ontario: A qualitative inquiry. International Journal of Equity in Health.
  3. Submitted. Zeitouny S, Cheung DC, Bremner KE, Pataky RE, Pequeno P, Matelski J, Peacock S, Del Giudice E, Lapointe-Shaw L, Tomlinson G, Mendlowitz AB, Mulder C, Tsui TCO, Perlis N, Walker JD, Sander B, Wong WWL, Krahn MD, Kulkarni GS. The impact of the early COVID-19 pandemic on health care system resource use and costs in two provinces in Canada: An interrupted time series analysis. PLOS ONE.
  4. Hudson M, Carroll S, Anderson J, Blackwater D, Cordova-Marks FM, Cummins J, David-Chavez D, Fernadez A, Garba I, Hiraldo D, Jager MB, Jennings LL, Martinez A, Sterling R, Walker JD, Rowe RK. Indigenous Peoples’ Rights in Data: A Contribution Towards Indigenous Research Sovereignty. Frontiers in Research Metrics and Analytics, section Scholarly Communication.
  5. Mendlowitz AB, Bremner KE, Krahn M, Walker JD, Wong WWL, Sander B, Jones L, Isaranuwatchai W, Feld JJ. Characterizing the cascade of care for hepatitis C virus infection among Status First Nations peoples in Ontario: a retrospective cohort study. CMAJ Open. 2023 April 11;(195): E499-512. DOI:10.1503/cmaj.220717
  6. Tsui T, Zeitouny S, Bremner KE, Cheung DC, Mulder C, Croxford R, Del Giudice L, Lapointe-Shaw L, Mendlowitz A, Wong W WL, Perlis N, Sander B, Teckle P, Tomlinson G, Walker JD, Malikov K, McGrail KM, Peacock S, Kulkarni GS, Pataky RE, Krahn MD. Initial health care costs for COVID-19 in British Columbia and Ontario, Canada: an interprovincial population-based cohort study. CMAJ Open. 2022 Sept 20;10(3): E818-E830. DOI:10.9778/cmajo.20210328
  7. Morin KA, Marsh TN, Eshakakogan C, Eibl JK, Spence M, Gauthier G, Walker JD, Sayers D, Ozawanimke A, Bissaillion B, Marsh DC. Community trial evaluating the integration of Indigenous healing practices and a harm reduction approach with principles of seeking safety in an Indigenous residential treatment program in northern Ontario. BMC health services research. 2022 August;22(1):1-0. DOI: 10.1186/s12913-022-08406-3
  8. Mulder C, Debassige D, Gustafson M, Slater M, Eshkawkogan E, Walker JD. Research, Sovereignty and Action: Lessons from a First Nations-led Study on Aging in Ontario. Healthcare Quarterly. 2022 April; 24:93-97. DOI:10.12927/hcq.2022.26767
  9. Lunny C, Zarin W, Chaudhry S, Thomas SM, LeBlanc A, Desroches S, Horsley T, Colquhoun H, Sanon PN, Downey M, Goodarzi Z, Baxter NN, English K, PausJenssen E, McQuitty S, Whilhelm L, McKinnon A, Hoens AM, Li LC, Clement F, Curran JA, Abou-Setta AM, Godfrey C, Moher D, Moffitt P, Walker J, Jull J, Koehn C, Isaranuwatchai W, Straus SE, Tricco AC. An inclusive and diverse governance structure of the strategy for patient-oriented research (SPOR) Evidence Alliance. FACETS. 2022 Mar 24;7(1):435-47. DOI:10.1139/facets-2021-0129
  10. Chakanyuka C, Bacsu JD, Desroches A, Walker J, O’Connell ME, Dame J, Carrier L, Symenuk P, Crowshoe L, Bourque-Bearskin L. Appraising Indigenous cultural safety within healthcare: Protocol of a scoping review of reviews. Journal of Advanced Nursing. 2021 Nov 17; 77(12); 1-6. DOI:10.1111/jan.15096
  11. Mendlowitz A, Bremner KE, Walker JD, Wong WWL, Feld JJ, Sander B, Jones L, Isaranuwatchai W, Krahn M. Health care costs associated with hepatitis C virus infection in First Nations populations in Ontario: a retrospective matched cohort study. CMAJ Open. 2021 Sept 28; 9(3): E897-E906. DOI: 10.9778/cmajo.20200247
  12. Mendlowitz A, Bremner KE, Walker JD, Wong WWL, Feld JJ, Sander B, Jones L, Isaranuwatchai W, Krahn M. Hepatitis C virus infection in First Nations populations in Ontario from 2006 to 2014: a population-based retrospective cohort analysis. CMAJ Open. 2021 Sept 28; 9(3):E886-E896. DOI:10.9778/cmajo.20200164
  13. Rowe R, Carroll SR, Healey C, Rodriguez-Lonebear D, Martinez A, Walker J. The SEEDS of Indigenous Population Health Data Linkage. International Journal of Population Data Science. 2021; 6(1), DOI:10.23889/ijpds.v6i1.1417
  14. Jamal S, Jones C, Walker J, Mazereeuw M, Sheppard AJ, Henry D, Marrett LD. Cancer in First Nations people in Ontario, Canada: Incidence and mortality, 1991 to 2010. Health Reports. 2021 Jun 16;32(6):14-28. DOI:10.25318/82-003-x202100600002-eng
  15. Funnell S, Walker J, Letendre A, Bearskin RL, Manuel D, Scott M, Spruin S, Tanuseputro P. Places of death and places of care for Indigenous Peoples in Ontario: a retrospective cohort study. Canadian Journal of Public Health. 2021 May 18; (112):685–696 DOI:10.17269/s41997-021-00482-y
  16. Rowe RK, Rowat J, Walker JD. First Nations’ Survivance and Sovereignty in Canada during a Time of COVID-19. American Indian Culture and Research Journal. 2020 Apr;44(2):89-100. DOI: 10.17953/aicrj.44.2.rowe_rowat_walker
  17. Shah BR, Frymire E, Jones CR, Khan S, Slater M, Walker JD, Green M. Peripheral Arterial Disease Among First Nations People with Diabetes in Ontario, Canada: Linkage of Population-Level Healthcare Data. International Journal of Population Data Science. 2020 Dec 7;5(5). DOI:10.23889/ijpds.v5i5.1523
  18. Carroll SR, Garba I, Figueroa-Rodríguez OL, Holbrook J, Lovett R, Materechera S, Parsons M, Raseroka K, Rodriguez-Lonebear D, Rowe R, Sara R, Walker JD, Anderson J and Hudson M. The CARE Principles for Indigenous Data Governance. Data Science Journal. 2020 Nov 4; 19(43):1–12. DOI:10.5334/dsj2020-043
  19. Dahl LT, Katz A, McGrail K, Diverty B, Ethier JF, Gavin F, McDonald JT, Paprica PA, Schull M, Walker JD, Wu J. The SPOR-Canadian Data Platform: a national initiative to facilitate data rich multi-jurisdictional research. International Journal of Population Data Science. 2020 Nov 9;5(1): 1374. DOI:10.23889/ijpds.v5i1.1374
  20. Russo Carroll S, Garba I, Figueroa O, Lovett R, Materechera S, Parsons M, Raseroka K, Small-Rodrigues D, Rowe R, Walker J, Anderson J, Hudson M. CARE Principles. Data Science Journal. 2020; 19(43): 1–12. DOI:10.5334/dsj-2020-043
  21. Green M, Baiju S, Slater M, Khan S, Jones C, Walker J. Monitoring, treatment and control of blood glucose and lipids in Ontario First Nations people with diabetes. Canadian Medical Association Journal. 2020 Aug 17; 192(33): E937-E945. DOI:10.1503/cmaj.191039
  22. Forbes A, Ritchie S, Walker J, Young N. Applications of Two-Eyed seeing in primary research focused on Indigenous health: a scoping review. International Journal of Qualitative Methods. 2020 Jun 10;19:1609406920929110. DOI:10.1177/1609406920929110
  23. Shah BR, Slater M, Frymire E, Jacklin K, Sutherland R, Khan S, Walker JD, Green ME. Use of the health care system by Ontario First Nations people with diabetes: a population-based study. CMAJ open. 2020 Apr;8(2):E313. DOI:10.9778/cmajo.20200043
  24. Campbell RJ, Sutherland R, Khan S, Doliszny KM, Hooper PL, Slater M, Frymire E, Shah BR, Walker JD, Green ME. Diabetes-induced eye disease among First Nations people in Ontario: a longitudinal, population-based cohort study. CMAJ open. 2020 Apr;8(2):E282. DOI:10.9778/cmajo.20200005
  25. Kapral MK, Shah BR, Green ME, Porter J, Griffiths R, Frymire E, Slater M, Jacklin K, Sutherland R, Walker JD. Hospital admission for stroke or transient ischemic attack among First Nations people with diabetes in Ontario: a population-based cohort study. CMAJ Open. 2020 Jan;8(1):E156. DOI:10.9778/cmajo.20190199
  26. Vélez MP, Slater M, Griffiths R, Shah BR, Sutherland R, Jones C, Jacklin K, Walker JD, Green ME. Diabetes during pregnancy and perinatal outcomes among First Nations women in Ontario, 2002/03–2014/15: a population-based cohort study. CMAJ Open. 2020 Jan;8(1):E214. DOI:10.9778/cmajo.20190195
  27. Rosella LC, Kornas K, Green ME, Shah BR, Walker JD, Frymire E, Jones C. Characterizing risk of type 2 diabetes in First Nations people living in First Nations communities in Ontario: a population-based analysis using cross-sectional survey data. CMAJ Open. 2020 Jan;8(1):E178. DOI:10.9778/cmajo.20190210
  28. Shulman R, Slater M, Khan S, Jones C, Walker JD, Jacklin K, Green ME, Frymire E, Shah BR. Prevalence, incidence and outcomes of diabetes in Ontario First Nations children: a longitudinal population-based cohort study. CMAJ open. 2020 Jan;8(1):E48. DOI:10.9778/cmajo.20190226
  29. Walker JD, Slater M, Jones CR, Shah BR, Frymire E, Khan S, Jacklin K, Green ME. Diabetes prevalence, incidence and mortality in First Nations and other people in Ontario, 1995–2014: a population-based study using linked administrative data. CMAJ. 2020 Feb 10;192(6):E128-35. DOI:10.1503/cmaj.190836
  30. Funnell S, Tanuseputro P, Letendre A, Bearskin LB, Walker J. “Nothing About Us, without Us.” How Community-Based Participatory Research Methods Were Adapted in an Indigenous End-of-Life Study Using Previously Collected Data. Canadian Journal on Aging / La Revue canadienne du vieillissement. 2020;39(2):145–55. DOI:10.1017/S0714980819000291
  31. Chu A, Han L, Roifman I, Lee DS, Green ME, Jacklin K, Walker J, Sutherland R, Khan S, Frymire E, Tu JV. Trends in cardiovascular care and event rates among First Nations and other people with diabetes in Ontario, Canada, 1996–2015. CMAJ. 2019 Nov 25;191(47):E1291-8. DOI:10.1503/cmaj.190899
  32. Slater M, Green ME, Shah B, Khan S, Jones CR, Sutherland R, Jacklin K, Walker JD. First Nations people with diabetes in Ontario: methods for a longitudinal population-based cohort study. CMAJ Open. 2019 Oct;7(4):E680. DOI:10.9778/cmajo.20190096
  33. Nash DM, Dirk JS, McArthur E, Green ME, Shah BR, Walker JD, Beaucage M, Jones CR, Garg AX. Kidney disease and care among First Nations people with diabetes in Ontario: a population-based cohort study. CMAJ Open. 2019 Oct;7(4):E706. DOI:10.9778/cmajo.20190164
  34. Shah BR, Frymire E, Jacklin K, Jones CR, Khan S, Slater M, Walker JD, Green ME. Peripheral arterial disease in Ontario First Nations people with diabetes: a longitudinal population-based cohort study. CMAJ Open. 2019 Oct;7(4):E700. DOI:10.9778/cmajo.20190162
  35. McGilton KS, Vellani S, Yeung L, Chishtie J, Commisso E, Ploeg J, Andrew MK, Ayala AP, Gray M, Morgan D, Froehlich Chow A, Parrott E, Stephens D, Hale L, Keatings M, Walker J, Wodchis WP, Dubé V, McElhaney J, Puts M. Identifying and understanding the health and social care needs of older adults with multiple chronic conditions and their caregivers: a scoping review. BMC Geriatrics. 2018 Dec;18(1):1-33. DOI:10.1186/s12877-018-0925-x
  36. Walker JD, Rowe R, Jones CR. Describing the process of ethical conduct of research in an Ontario-wide First Nations diabetes research project. CMAJ. 2018 Nov 7;190(Suppl):S19-S20. DOI:10.1503/cmaj.180479
  37. Walker JD, Pyper E, Jones CR, Khan S, Chong N, Legge D, Schull MJ, Henry D. Unlocking First Nations health information through data linkage. International Journal of Population Data Science. 2018;3(1). DOI:10.23889/ijpds.v3i1.450
  38. Walker J, Lovett R, Kukutai T, Jones C, Henry D. Indigenous health data and the path to healing. Lancet. 2017 Nov 4;390(10107):2022-3. DOI:10.1016/S0140-6736(17)32755-1
  39. Hayward JS, McArthur E, Nash DM, Sontrop JM, Russell SJ, Khan S, Walker JD, Nesrallah GE, Sood MM, Garg AX. Kidney disease among registered métis citizens of Ontario: a population-based cohort study. Canadian journal of kidney health and disease. 2017 Apr 11;4:1-16. DOI:10.1177/2054358117703071
  40. McNeil H, Elliott J, Huson K, Ashbourne J, Heckman G, Walker J, Stolee P. Engaging older adults in healthcare research and planning: a realist synthesis. Research Involvement and Engagement. 2016 Dec;2(1):1-8. DOI:10.1186/s40900-016-0022-2
  41. Drouin H, Walker J, McNeil H, Elliott J, Stolee P. Measured outcomes of chronic care programs for older adults: a systematic review. BMC geriatrics. 2015 Dec;15(1):1-9. DOI:10.1186/s12877-015-0136-7
  42. Mcleod J, Stolee P, Walker J, Heckman G. Measuring Care Transition Quality for Older Patients with Musculoskeletal Disorders. Musculoskeletal Care 2014;12(1):13–21. DOI:10.1002/msc.1043
  43. McLeod J, McMurray J, Walker JD, Heckman GA, Stolee P. Care transitions for older patients with musculoskeletal disorders: continuity from the providers’ perspective. International journal of integrated care. 2011 Apr;11:e014. DOI: 10.5334/ijic.555
  44. Maxwell CJ, Kang J, Walker JD, Zhang JX, Hogan DB, Feeny DH, Wodchis WP. Sex differences in the relative contribution of social and clinical factors to the Health Utilities Index Mark 2 measure of health-related quality of life in older home care clients. Health and Quality of Life Outcomes. 2009 Dec;7(1):1-1. DOI:10.1186/1477-7525-7-80
  45. Walker JD, Teare GF, Hogan DB, Lewis S, Maxwell CJ. Identifying potentially avoidable hospital admissions from Canadian long-term care facilities. Medical Care. 2009 Feb 1;47(2):250-254.
  46. Wodchis WP, Maxwell CJ, Venturini A, Walker JD, Zhang J, Hogan DB, Feeny DH. Study of observed and self-reported HRQL in older frail adults finds group-level congruence and individual-level differences. Journal of Clinical Epidemiology. 2007 May; 60(5):502-511. DOI:10.1016/j.jclinepi.2006.08.009
  47. Zhang JX, Walker JD, Wodchis WP, Hogan DB, Feeny DH, Maxwell CJ. Measuring health status and decline in at-risk seniors residing in the community using the Health Utilities Index Mark 2. Quality of Life Research. 2006 Oct; 15(8):1415-1426. DOI:10.1007/s11136-006-0007-y
  48. Dunn JR, Walker JD, Graham J, Weiss CB. Gender differences in the relationship between housing, socio-economic status, and self-reported health status. Reviews of Environmental Health. 2004;19(3-4):177-196. DOI:10.1515/reveh-2004-19-3-403
  49. Walker JD, Maxwell CJ, Hogan DB, Ebly EM. Does self-rated health predict survival in older persons with cognitive impairment? Journal of the American Geriatrics Society. 2004; 52(11):1895-900. DOI:10.1111/j.1532-5415.2004.52515.x
  1. Submitted. Rowat J, Akan N, Furlano J, Ferrow L, Ashdohonk F, Smith D, Ryder K, O’Watch T, Boehme G, Walker JD. Nakoda Oyáde Ománi Agíktuža: Adapting the Canadian Indigenous Cognitive Assessment in a Nakoda First Nation Community. Canadian Journal on Aging.
  2. Submitted. Bethell J, Andrew MK, Hothi S, Mick P, Morgan D, O’Connell ME, Phillips NA, Stewart S, Walker JD, Wittich W, McGilton K. Does social connection mediate the association between neuroticism and cognition? Cross-sectional analysis of the Canadian Longitudinal Study on Aging. Aging & Mental Health.
  3. Feldman HH, Belleville S, Nygaard HB, Montero-Odasso M, Durant J, Lupo JL, Revta C, Chan S, Cuesta M, Slack PJ, Winer S, Brewster PWH, Hofer SM, Lim A, Centen A, Jacobs DM, Anderson ND, Walker JD, Speechley MR, Zou GY, Chertkow H & Canadian Consortium on Neurodegeneration in Aging (CCNA): CAN-THUMBS UP Study Group. Protocol for the Brain Health Support Program Study of the Canadian Therapeutic Platform Trial for Multidomain Interventions to Prevent Dementia (CAN-THUMBS UP): A Prospective 12-Month Intervention Study. The Journal of Prevention of Alzheimer’s Disease. 2023 Jun 15:1-11.
  4. Slater M, Bruser G, Sutherland R, Andrew MK, Warry W, Jacklin KM, Walker JD. Wellness in the Face of Frailty Among Older Adults in First Nations Communities. Journal of Aging and Health. Journal of Aging and Health. 2022 April 15;34(6-8):996-1004. DOI:10.1177/08982643221085107
  5. Chakanyuka C, Bacsu JD, DesRoches A, Dame J, Carrier L, Symenuk P, O’Connell ME, Crowshoe L, Walker J, Bourque-Bearskin L. Indigenous-specific cultural safety within health and dementia care: A scoping review of reviews. Social Science & Medicine. 2021 Dec 16; 293.114658. DOI:10.1016/j.socscimed.2021.114658
  6. Walker JD, O’Connell ME, Pitawanakwat K, Blind M, Warry W, Lemieux A, Patterson C, Allaby C, Valvasori M, Zhao Y, Jacklin K. Canadian Indigenous Cognitive Assessment (CICA): Inter-rater reliability and criterion validity in Anishinaabe communities on Manitoulin Island, Canada. Alzheimer’s & Dementia: Diagnosis, Assessment & Disease Monitoring. 2021;13(1):e12213. DOI:10.1002/dad2.12213
  7. Warren LA, Walker JD, Martiniuk A, Rosella L. Cognitive impairment among community-dwelling, off-reserve Indigenous populations in Canada: Epidemiology/Prevalence, incidence, and outcomes of MCI and dementia. Alzheimer’s & Dementia. 2020 Dec;16:e041890. DOI:10.1002/alz.041890
  8. Jacklin K, Pitawanakwat K, Blind M, O’Connell ME, Walker J, Lemieux AM, Warry W. Developing the Canadian Indigenous Cognitive Assessment for Use With Indigenous Older Anishinaabe Adults in Ontario, Canada. Innovation in Aging. 2020;4(4):igaa038. DOI: 10.1093/geroni/igaa038
  9. Walker JD, Spiro G, Loewen K, Jacklin K. Alzheimer’s disease and related dementia in Indigenous populations: a systematic review of risk factors. Journal of Alzheimer’s Disease. 2020;78(4): 1439-1451. DOI:10.3233/JAD-200704
  10. Slater M, Jacklin K, Sutherland R, Jones C, Blind M, Warry W, Valvasori M, Walker J. Understanding aging, frailty, and resilience in Ontario First Nations. Canadian Journal on Aging/La Revue canadienne du vieillissement. 2020 Sep 15; 40(3) :1-6. DOI:10.1017/S0714980820000276
  11. Bronskill SE, Maclagan LC, Walker JD, Guan J, Wang X, Ng R, Rochon PA, Yates EA, Vermeulen MJ, Maxwell CJ. Trajectories of health system use and survival for community-dwelling persons with dementia: a cohort study. BMJ open. 2020 Jul 1;10(7):e037485. DOI:10.1136/bmjopen-2020-037485
  12. First Nations Information Governance Centre & Walker JD. Aging and frailty in First Nations communities. Canadian Journal on Aging/La Revue canadienne du vieillissement. 2020 Jun;39(2):133-44. DOI:10.1017/S0714980817000319
  13. Webkamigad S, Rowe R, Peltier S, Froehlich Chow A, McGilton KS, Walker JD. Identifying and understanding the health and social care needs of Indigenous older adults with multiple chronic conditions and their caregivers: a scoping review. BMC geriatrics. 2020 Dec;20(1):1-19. DOI:10.1186/s12877-020-01552-5
  14. Cornect-Benoit A, Pitawanakwat K, Nation WU, Walker J, Manitowabi D, Jacklin K. Nurturing Meaningful Intergenerational Social Engagements to Support Healthy Brain Aging for Anishinaabe Older Adults: Nakaazang Wenjishing naagdawendiwin, nji gechipiitzijig Anishnaabek. Canadian Journal on Aging/La Revue canadienne du vieillissement. 2020;39(2):263-83. DOI:10.1017/S0714980819000527
  15. Jacklin K, Walker J. Cultural understandings of dementia in Indigenous peoples: A qualitative evidence synthesis. Canadian Journal on Aging/La Revue Canadienne Du Vieillissement. 2020;39(2):220-34. DOI:10.1017/S071498081900028X
  16. Commisso E, McGilton KS, Ayala AP, Andrew MK, Bergman H, Beaudet L, Dubé V, Gray M, Hale L, Keatings M, Marshall EG, McElhaney J, Morgan D, Parrott E, Ploeg J, Sampalli T, Stephens D, Vedel I, Walker J, Wodchis WP, Puts MTE. Identifying and understanding the health and social care needs of older adults with multiple chronic conditions and their caregivers: a protocol for a scoping review. BMJ Open. 2017;7(12):e018247. DOI:10.1136/bmjopen-2017-018247
  17. Jacklin KM, Walker JD, Shawande M. The emergence of dementia as a health concern among First Nations populations in Alberta, Canada. Canadian Journal of Public Health. 2013 Jan;104(1):e39-44. DOI:10.1007/BF03405652