The Canadian Institutes of Health Research Institute of Aboriginal Peoples' Health (CIHR-IAPH) supports and promotes health research that has a positive impact on the mental, physical, emotional and spiritual well-being of aboriginal people at all life stages.
The idea for creating a research institute devoted solely to aboriginal health began in September 1999. A national group of leading aboriginal and non-aboriginal health researchers urged the federal government to consider a specialized research funding agency dedicated to aboriginal health research and capacity building. The group firmly believed this approach would contribute significantly to the overall health and well being of aboriginal and non-aboriginal populations.
The researchers also envisioned a "cadre" of expert and emerging researchers who would form a Canada-wide network that would strengthen information gathering and sharing, leading to heightened awareness and improved health among aboriginal populations.
The Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR) was presented with the recommendations and subsequently launched the Institute of Aboriginal Peoples' Health (CIHR-IAPH) in December 2000 with the appointment of its first Scientific Director, Dr. Jeff Reading.
