Preventing Respiratory Infections in Indigenous Communities
Season 7 – Episode 5
with Amy Lamb & Mike Boivin
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Preventing respiratory infections requires preparation, collaboration, and community engagement. In this final episode of Season 7 of the eXpand podcast series, pharmacists Mike Boivin and Amy Lamb bring together key insights from the series to highlight practical strategies for prevention and community-centred care.
About this episode
In the concluding episode of the series, Mike Boivin and Amy Lamb focus on actionable strategies to reduce respiratory infection risks in Indigenous and remote communities.
The discussion explores proactive planning for respiratory illness seasons, improving testing and treatment pathways, and strengthening partnerships between healthcare providers and communities. The episode emphasizes the importance of trust, cultural safety, and collaborative health leadership.
Today you will learn
- How communities can prepare for respiratory illness seasons
- Why identifying high-risk individuals and vaccination status is important
- Practical strategies for early testing, treatment, and follow-up
- The role of community engagement in health planning
- How healthcare providers can collaborate with Indigenous leadership
- Lessons learned for improving respiratory health systems across diverse settings
Our special guest
Amy Lamb is a Métis pharmacist focused on improving healthcare access and promoting community-centred approaches to respiratory health.
In this episode, she joins Mike Boivin to reflect on the key lessons from the podcast series and discuss how healthcare providers can support practical, culturally informed strategies for respiratory infection prevention.
Educational disclaimer: This podcast is intended for educational purposes only and should not replace individualized medical advice from a qualified healthcare professional.
Resources to go Deeper
General Indigenous-Led Resources (COVID-19, Flu, RSV)
- National Collaborating Centre for Indigenous Health (NCCIH): The NCCIH provides extensive resources, including webinars, videos, and fact sheets on vaccine confidence, mental health, and infectious disease prevention tailored for First Nations, Inuit, and Métis peoples.
- Maad’ookiing Mshkiki | Sharing Medicine: A community-led initiative providing timely, accurate, and culturally relevant information regarding COVID-19 vaccines and vaccine hesitancy.
- We Matter: An Indigenous-led initiative providing support and resources to Indigenous youth regarding mental health and coping during the pandemic.
- Talk4Healing: A confidential, culturally safe helpline for Indigenous women in Ontario, available in 14 languages.
First Nations-Led Resources (FNHA & Others)
- First Nations Health Authority (BC): The FNHA provides comprehensive guidance for respiratory illnesses, including COVID-19, influenza, and RSV.
- Respiratory Illness Page: Protecting Wellness During Respiratory Illness Season
- RSV Resources: RSV (Respiratory Syncytial Virus) Information
- COVID-19 Guide: A Guide to COVID-19 (PDF)
- Assembly of First Nations (AFN): Offers webinars, fact sheets, and tools focusing on safety and community wellness.
Métis-Led Resources
- Métis Nation of Ontario (MNO): The MNO has led studies on vaccine behaviour and provides resources for its citizens, including the Virtual Care Program.
- Vaccine Report: COVID-19 Vaccine Behavior Community Report
- Health Initiatives: MNO Virtual Care Program
- Métis National Council (MNC): Provides information on support for Métis citizens.
Inuit-Led Resources (ITK)
- Inuit Tapiriit Kanatami (ITK): ITK provides COVID-19 and health resources tailored for Inuit Nunangat, including info on federal benefits and safety infographics.
- Main Projects Page: Inuit Tapiriit Kanatami COVID-19 Projects
- Infographics: COVID-19 Infographics
- Tungasuvvingat Inuit (TI): Offers urban services, counseling, and food security resources for Inuit in Ontario.
Vaccine Hesitancy & Cultural Safety Resources
- NCCIH/NCCID Vaccine Confidence Resources: Fact sheets and guides for Indigenous peoples and professionals, available in Cree, Ojibway, and Inuktitut.
- Vaccine Mistrust Report: A document discussing the colonial origins of vaccine hesitancy among Indigenous peoples.
- Webinar on Vaccine Hesitancy: A session featuring Dr. Sarah Funnell, a First Nations Family Physician, discussing challenges and strategies for vaccine uptake.
RESPIPLUS™ received support from Pfizer to develop an informative podcast series specifically tailored to COVID-19.
Collaborating Organizations
This podcast series was developed with the valuable collaboration of organizations committed to improving patient care:
Educational disclaimer: This podcast is intended for educational purposes only and should not replace individualized medical advice from a qualified healthcare professional.
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