About the Study
The Canadian Alliance for Healthy Hearts and Minds First Nations (CAHHM-FN) study involves a strong partnership between academic institutions and First Nations communities. Eight First Nations communities across many parts of Canada enrolled 1,302 participants over the age of 18 from 2013 to 2018. The governance model of the CAHHM-FN is such that each community owns their data, controls its dissemination, and decides when and what research is in the best interests of their specific community. Overall data from the cohort is held centrally under the stewardship of Dr. Sonia Anand, at the Population Health Research Institute (PHRI), McMaster University. Joint analyses and new data collection is undertaken only with the permission of the Local Community Advisory Boards (LCAB) established for oversight of the study.
Information collected
Blood pressure, heart rate, waist and hip circumference, height, weight, and percentage body fat. View the physical measurements questionnaire.
The Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA) is a cognitive screening test designed to assist Health Professionals in the detection of mild cognitive impairment and Alzheimer’s disease. Click here to view the published validation, and click here to view the MoCA questionnaire. The Digital Symbol Substitution Test (DSST) is a subtest of the WAIS-IV cognitive screening test designed to measure cognitive impairment. View the DDST.
The International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ) assesses energy expenditure by tracking daily exertion. The long IPAQ was collected in about 40% of participants, and the short IPAQ was collected in about 60% of participants. Click here to view a systematic review validating the use of the IPAQ. View the physical activity questionnaire.
The INTERHEART Risk Score questionnaire is a validated score that factors in data on age, sex, smoking status, diabetes, high blood pressure, family history of heart disease, waist-to-hip ratio, psychosocial factors, diet and physical activity. Click here to view a recent INTERHEART Risk Score validity publication, and click here to view the INTERHEART risk score questionnaire.
The Health Services Research and Cardiovascular Questionnaire (HSR) examines participants’ access to health care services, such as visits to a primary care provider or the emergency department, or language barriers affecting care provision. The questionnaire also collects information focused on cardiovascular risk factors, history of cardiovascular diseases, and medication use. View the HSR questionnaire.
Social capital data was collected via the CAHHM Community Contextual Factors Questionnaire, which was replicated from the Environmental Profile of Community Health (EPOCH-2) instrument that has been studied and validated in five countries, including Canada (Anand et al., 2018b; Chow et al., 2010; Corsi et al., 2012). The questionnaire assesses the individual contextual factors in the built environment of participants in the study that may have an impact on health, such as: community advertising related to smoking/tobacco, food, alcohol, and physical activity; community environments related to tobacco, alcohol, nutrition/physical activity, and socializing; relationships with family and friends; civic engagement; life satisfaction; individual home and workplace environment. View the Contextual Factors Assessment Individual Questionnaire, Community Questionnaire: Reserve, and Community Questionnaire: Non-Reserve.
The Canadian Partnership for Tomorrow’s Project questionnaire. View the CPTP questionnaire.
Dietary assessment tool capturing the amount and frequency of food intake and nutrient intake. View the questionnaire.
Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of the brain, heart, carotid artery and abdomen.
A list of past patient medical history including documentation of medication use.
