Between the proposed theory of Indigenous vaccinations and the reality lies a gap. #Closethegap

 The NPC Healthbiz Weekly is here to inform you through 2021. It's your weekly briefing on topics pertinent to healthcare marketers and executives published in cooperation with Peak Pharma Solutions. 

⇒ Issue #172 (In numerology, 172 connotes self-reliance and exploration.)

⇒ Worldwide Covid cases as of 03/18: 121,319,246*

⇒ Worldwide Covid fatalities as of 03/18: 2,682,660*

⇒ Confirmed Covid cases in Canada as of 03/18: 924,670*
⇒ Confirmed Covid fatalities in Canada as of 03/18: 22,543*

⇒ Number of vaccine doses administered to Canadians as of 03/18: 3,409,996*

March 18, 2021—Welcome back, CurveFlatteners. It's podcast producer and video editor Jeremy Visser here with your Covid-19 news today. Considering that it is Canada's first national Close the Gap Day, an initiative aimed at achieving Indigenous health equality, today's updates will look at vaccination rates for Indigenous peoples across the country.

The Matawa Health Co-operative have opened vaccination clinics for Matawa First Nations peoples in Thunder Bay, Ont., after a recent upswing in Covid-19 cases put the city back in lockdown. So far, the clinics have vaccinated almost 500 people, but with over 4,000 Indigenous peoples living off reserves in Thunder Bay, they have their work cut out for them. 

Dr. Janet Smylie, a Métis physician and Canada Research Chair in Indigenous Health, has been similarly fighting for vaccinations for off-reserve Indigenous populations in the Toronto area. While vaccine rollout for remote First Nations communities has been discussed, the same thought hasn't been given to Indigenous people in cities.

British Columbia has also planned to prioritize Indigenous peoples in their vaccination schedule, but so far has only committed to vaccinating First Nations community residents and other Indigenous adults aged over 65 in Phase 2.This is, of course, a fry cry from the recommendation of the National Advisory Committee on Immunization that all Indigenous adults should be vaccinated by Phase 2. Dr. Shannon McDonald, acting Chief Medical Officer of the First Nations Health Authority, has been coordinating with organizations that serve Indigenous people on expediting this process to open more clinics for Indigenous communities. However, with Phase 2 ending on April 12, she is only "hopeful" that they will meet this goal.

The NPC Podcast is back for another season. The National Pharmaceutical Congress organizers are proud to release our new weekly podcast series, hosted by Peter Brenders. Peter's guest this week is Dr. Rachel Asiniwasis, Curriculum Co-Chair for today's Indigenous Skin Spectrum Summit. Listen here now, or download the episode and play it at your convenience. The NPC Podcast is presented in cooperation with Impres Pharma

COVID CHRONICLE 03/18/2021

• Black patients with Type 1 diabetes who contracted Covid-19 are almost four times as likely as white patients to require hospitalization for diabetic ketoacidosis. The authors of a recent study reviewed and evaluated the racial health disparities in a study of 180 patients from 52 clinical sites. With such disparities affecting Covid-19 infection rates as well as diabetic ketoacidosis rates, the intersection of both instances didn't surprise the researchers.
• A study published in the Journal of Immigrant and Minority Health has evaluated that immigrants detained by the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agency (ICE) face high risks from Covid-19. The authors found that 42.5 per cent of detained immigrants had at least one chronic medical condition, 15.5 per cent had two or more chronic medical conditions, and that 20.9 per cent of those with medical conditions reporting having their medical care interrupted while detained.

• An article posted in the Canadian Medical Association Journal looks at vaccine hesitancy among Indigenous peoples in Canada. The authors look at First Nations people, making up only 10 per cent of the people in the province of Manitoba, account for 71 per cent of active Covid-19 cases and half of the patients in intensive care. The authors recommend cultural competency as one of many solutions needed to overcome vaccine hesitancy in a population that is already dealing with enough health disparities. All of which, are topics covered below where we mention the ISSS, happening tonight!

WHAT CHRONICLE IS WORKING ON TODAY

Today is not only national "Close the Gap Day", but also the first day of the Indigenous Skin Spectrum Summit. Led by Dr. Rachel Asiniwasis and Dr. Gary Sibbald, alongside an impressive lineup of speakers. You can register here.

RIGHT NOW, WE ARE READING... 

Unsouled by Will Wight. This was a book club book I had chosen almost a year ago now, that I finally got around to starting. It is a bizarre mix of classic fantasy meets "Dragon Ball Super", with sacred artists melding their chi-like 'madras' as they develop their martial arts and improve their bodies. Bizarre, but impossible to put down.

TONIGHT WE ARE LISTENING TO...

FamilyJules. My one recommendation for working from home: get some good tunes. I bought wireless over-the-ear headphones for work, but 95 per cent of their use is for working music. One of my favourite listenings for work music is video game metal, for which there is as good as FamilyJules.

HOW IS YOUR WEEK GOING?

Please use the comments section at the CurveFlattener to let us know what you're up to today. Or feel free to check in via LinkedIn, email, or your choice of connector. By all means, pass this newsletter along to your colleagues. Allan Ryan will be back tomorrow to close off yet another week in what has been a unique year. Stay in touch, stay safe, and enjoy your day. Remember to #closethegap