Abstract
The WHO defines health as 鈥渁 state of complete physical, mental and social well-being and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity鈥�. However, this definition fails to capture Indigenous definitions of health, which encompass the collective dimensions of livelihoods (family, community and spirit worlds), the importance of balance (physical, emotional, psychological and spiritual), connectivity (with people, the land and food), and community-oriented healing processes (offerings, gatherings and sharing). This holistic conceptualization of health and well-being differs from western perspectives, which are rather focused on individual illnesses and treating health issues in 鈥榮ilos鈥�. Hence, because of cultural differences in how health is understood, the considerations and prioritization of the factors deemed to influence health, also known as the social determinants of health (SDH), may also vary. By focussing on the SDH as factors that contribute or inhibit health, policy and systems can be adjusted to increase access to opportunities and conditions that promote health and well-being.
Previous research focusing on the SDH influencing Inuit health and well-being has mostly employed qualitative approaches to gain deeper understandings of how local perspectives of ecological factors may influence health and well-being. Alternatively, quantitative studies exploring the relationship between SDH and health for Inuit in Canada seldom defined health and well-being holistically; rather, health is measured using health outcome indicators available through survey data. This master鈥檚 thesis seeks to ground quantitative methods in qualitative work, by operationalizing a holistic model indicator of health well-being previously developed by Nunavimmiut (Inuit living in Nunavik).
