Mixed Methods in Indigenous Health Research: Colombia, Canada & the Caribbean

In 2020, there were 19.3 million new cancer cases and 9.9 million related deaths, with 70% occurring in low- and middle-income countries. In Latin America, cancer remains a leading cause of mortality, with cases projected to rise from 4 million in 2020 to 6 million by 2040. Indigenous populations are among the most affected; in 2016, the Colombian Ministry of Health identified cancer as the fourth leading cause of death in Indigenous communities. However, Colombia lacks clinical guidelines tailored to Indigenous perspectives, as well as consistent epidemiological data to inform policy and intervention strategies. Dr. Angela Zambrano’s thesis examines how Indigenous health practices and beliefs interact or conflict with the traditional biomedical care model. Dr. Zambrano will carry out a comparative analysis of Indigenous health research in Indigenous populations in the Caribbean Island of Dominica, northern Quebec, and Colombia and employ epidemiological methods to calculate health disparities. This will inform a reflection and research protocol to support the development of future studies in Indigenous communities, notably in the Caribbean and Latin American regions, to support the development of intercultural cancer prevention, treatment, and care policies.

Faculty Supervisor:

Mabel Carabali

Student:

Partner:

Universidad del Valle

Discipline:

Life Sciences

Sector:

Health and Related Sciences & Technology

University:

McGill University

Program: