A Diabetes Peer Mentorship Program for First Nations Youth and Young Adults: An Intervention Protocol

The rising incidence of type 2 diabetes (T2D) among Indigenous peoples, exacerbated by historic injustices and health inequities, underscores the need for culturally sensitive health interventions that address both the physiological and psychological burdens of diabetes. This research protocol describes a community-driven initiative aimed at enhancing diabetes management among Indigenous youth and young adults in Canada, leveraging the lived experience and leadership of Indigenous young adults. This project seeks to integrate traditional Indigenous practices with modern health strategies to foster better health outcomes and psychosocial support through peer mentorship.

The program, developed and led by an Eeyou Istchee Cree community member, involves various health-promoting activities, including dietary guidance, physical exercise, and traditional land-based practices. These activities are designed to improve self-management of diabetes and to address diabetes distress, a significant factor in diabetes care.

Anticipated outcomes include improved psychosocial factors (reduced distress and enhanced resilience) and clinical measures of diabetes management (glycemia, body mass index, and blood pressure). The project's methodology combines quantitative assessments of psychological and health outcomes with qualitative feedback from participants, captured through innovative methods like Photovoice to ensure participants' voices and experiences directly inform the intervention's efficacy and adaptability.

Overall, this protocol outlines a framework for a scalable, sustainable model of health intervention that respects and revitalizes Indigenous cultural practices and community autonomy. The expected results aim to demonstrate the effectiveness of peer-led and culturally informed interventions in improving psychological and health outcomes, with the potential to guide similar initiatives in other Indigenous and marginalized communities worldwide.