Background information

Despite substantial progress in recent years, Aboriginal peoples in Canada continue to experience a level of health status that is substantially lower than the national population. Major inquiries such as the Royal Commission on Aboriginal Peoples (1994) and the Romanow Commission on the Future of Health Care in Canada (2002) all recognized the unacceptable disparities and recommended strategies for their elimination.

Research and advanced training in research investigating Aboriginal health conditions contribute to the ultimate goal of improving the health of Aboriginal people in Canada.

The University of Toronto (U of T) as a long tradition of graduate education and research in Aboriginal health and related fields conducted in scattered departments and units. Both the present external and internal environments are very conducive to promoting and consolidating Aboriginal health at U of T. A collaborative program will enhance the student experience by offering a broad base of faculty expertise and an opportunity to share research ideas and results from multiple disciplinary perspectives.

The development of Aboriginal Health will signal the University’s commitment to improving the well-being of Aboriginal people in the country through higher education and advanced research. Our Program is grounded in the responsibility of the University of Toronto to educate a citizenship that recognizes the rights of all people and respects the diverse intellectual heritages that go to make up Canada, with particular recognition of the unique position that Aboriginal people hold in Canadian society.