Statement of Purpose: Assist with the implementation of CDS Projects in the Yukon and the development of a diabetes strategy for the Yukon.
Chair: Shannon Duke
Present: JillLawrence;Prema Ladchumanopaskeran; Anne Morgan; Caroline Sparks; Lucie Wright; Kim Pronovost; Jennifer Eskes; Marion Promozic; / Date:Tuesday, March 1, 2011
Location:WGH Administration Boardroom
Start:1310
Finish:1435
Recorder:Angeline Rollins
Agenda Item / Discussion/Decision / Action
Agenda / Approval of agenda
Minutes / Review of minutes- November 2010. Under Updates from Members, changes to Prema’s name and clarification of funding streams noted. / Changes will be made and re-posted to the website for members
Updates from members / Caroline Sparks: Consultant and contractor for various groups including RPAY and Victoria Falkner Women’s Centre. Working on Active Diabetes RX Program with Shannon Duke and the Healthy Weights Project with Arctic Health Research Network.
Kim Pronovost:Acting assignment for Patricia Adamek at Health Canada. Main project is the Canadian Diabetes Strategy, current projects end March 31st, 2011. Still in discussions around the funding plans for the territories and what it might look like. No further information at this time or dates for release of information.
Prema: Program Consultant with Health Canada for the Canadian Diabetes Strategy and the Healthy Living Strategy,also has the files for Aids, and Hep C, including diabetes.
Jill Lawrence: Newest member of the Chronic Conditions Support Program. Working in some of the medical offices as an Chronic Disease Management Nurse in Whitehorse
Lucie Wight: Director of the Chronic Conditions Support Program (CCSP); formerly the Diabetes Collaborative. Will be giving an update to members later in the meeting.
Anne Morgan: Working at RPAY for prevention and promotion of diabetes and other physical activity programs. Currently has a Diabetes Prevention Program in the communities and a Healthy Living Menu available to groups or organizations in the Yukon communities. Partnering with the Canada Games Centre (CGC), the Diabetes Education Centre(DEC), the Chronic Conditions Support Program and the Outpatient Dietitian to promote the Diabetes Active RX Program for people interested in physical activity who have diabetes or pre-diabetes.
Shannon Duke: Contractor working with RPAY, Health Promotion and the STARRS Program. Currently working on the physical activity Diabetes Program with the CGC. Initially this pilot program provided transportation and passes to the Canada Games Centre for clients who were being seen at the Diabetes Centre and screened in using a screening tool that was developed by PRAY. The initial data showed that 85% of participants that started the program are still active. Sport & Recreation and Health and Social Services shared funding for the last session in Jan 2011. The data has been collected from the last session;Verena at the CGC is doing the evaluation. Another6 week program is going to start at the end of March. Drop-in time is also available at the CGC once clients have completed the program. May expand to involve other programs other than the DEC and the CCSP. Also working at Health Promotion (RNAO)on a national tobacco project ½ day per week. Will also be doing a four day training event at the end of March for first nations in Whitehorse based on the DIY which includes diabetes and not just prevention of diabetes. This is a CYFN Aboriginal Diabetes Initiative.
Marion Promozic: working with Champagne Aiskihuk First Nation (CAFN) in Haines Junction. They have a diabetes coordinator for clients to see an educator and who is able to work with ‘at risk’ clients. Attended a national aboriginal diabetes symposium with membersof the community who are now willing to do various presentations and get involved at the community level. CAFN have new cookbooks out for traditional foods. Has been generating some interest in the Do It Yourself Manual due to a presentation at a Winnipeg Conference. Youth Centre is now using the DIY manual in Haines Junction and in the schools as well. Currently looking into getting some Nike shoes for some of theirdiabetic clients. / Menu is available on the RPAY website:
Will bring a copy of the new cookbook to the next meeting.
Chronic Conditions Support Program Update /
  • Review of the vision and goals of the program. Funded through the Territorial Health Access Fund to March 2012. Explained in more detail the Expanded Chronic Care Model and the use of `best practice` and evidence based information by the program. The program uses a web based toolkit database called the Chronic Diabetes Management(CDM) Toolkit. Registers have been set up in 5 of the Whitehorse physician clinics and all Yukon communities. The CDM toolkit will flag patients that are due for care based on the clinical practice guidelines for diabetes, COPD and hypertension currently. Large focus in self management support to patients and education for staff. Live Well Yukon is a pilot program that offers supervised exercise program for people with COPD which could expand into diabetes for those who require supervision and support when exercising. Local pharmacist has also been working with patients and physicians in clinics for medication review. Sandra Duncan at Health Promotion has also been coordinating some smoking cessation sessions at the physician offices. Jill Lawrence was recently hired as a CDM nurse. Presented to community nurses last fall at their conference. A cost-benefit analysis currently ongoing with a health economist from BC, looking at the long term savings of the program. Will be looking at expanding to other chronic conditions such as congestive heart failure, kidney disease and prevention. Reviewed data trends collected since the start of the program in 2005.
/ See the attached power point presentation
Healthy Living Segmentation Study /
  • Review of the handout `Fast Facts on Physical Activity` which has some specific numbers relating to healthy living, healthy eating in the Yukon with specific data collected on children and seniors. This study was done with 850 residents. Summarized by Data Path Systems.
/ See attachment
Other discussion /
  • PDF for the Traditional Foods Resource will be posted on the website once obtained.
  • Website updates have not been done as of yet. Requires $1000-$2000 for the proposed upgrades such as; adding new buttons for other resources onto the site and receiving emails when there is a new event posted to increase usage.
  • Diabetes Program at the Canada Games Centre will start up again March 29th for 6 weeks. This is a physical activity program for people with diabetes or pre-diabetes. Anyone interested can go to the CGC or contact the Diabetes Education Centre to get a Physical Activity RX to get costs covered.
  • The Sport and Recreation branch will soon be coming out with a renewal of the Active Living Strategy and addresses many of the recommendations made in the Strategic Response to Diabetes that the DRG strategy had come out with relating to diabetes in the Yukon.
  • The Healthy Weights Project with Arctic Health Research Network is looking for feedback relating to encouraging and achieving healthy weights in the Yukon.

The Healthy Weights Project is looking for information related to encouraging and achieving healthy weights…

Do you know of any Yukon policies supporting, achieving and/or maintaining healthy weights?
Do you know of any Yukon programs supporting, achieving and/or maintaining healthy weights?
Do you know of any best/promising practices or programs in First Nations and non First Nations rural, remote or Northern communities to achieve or maintain healthy weights?
If so, we would like to hear from you to support the Healthy Weights project of Arctic Health Research Network Yukon and its partners (funded through PHAC’s Innovation Strategy). / Follow up with Jennifer Eskes at the Diabetes Centre to see if there is any further money available from the initial website funding.
Contact Verena at: or
668-8677 for more information.
Please contact before March 31st
Caroline Sparks:
or 456-4414
Next meeting date:
Wednesday, June 1st 2011 / Location/Time
WGH Administration Boardroom
1:00 pm to 2:30 pm