Influence of the COVID-19 pandemic on chronic disease management among indigenous people in Canada.

Introduction: In Canada, little is known about how the Coronavirus-19 (COVID-19) pandemic has influenced Indigenous people with chronic disease. Even without the additional burden of the pandemic, many Indigenous communities lack access to high-quality health care and preventive measures. This study examines the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on chronic disease management (CDM) and healthcare access and utilization by describing the CDM experiences of the Indigenous people across Canada. Methods: In collaboration with Indigenous leadership, we conducted an online survey across Canada. Eligible participants included Indigenous people (on- and off-reserve), who are current members of a Dynata research panel and willing to participate in the survey. Questions on self efficacy, healthcare utilization, and COVID-19 impact on healthcare access and utilization were asked. Descriptive statistics and multivariable regression were used. Results: There were 869 respondents in which 60% were females ( Discussion: Our survey on chronic disease management during peak and post-COVID-19 revealed that, while some COVID-19 related barriers improved post-pandemic, persistent challenges in healthcare access remain for Indigenous peoples in Canada.