University of Toronto study identifies strengths based factors contributing to healthy functioning among Indigenous adults

A University of Toronto study finds that 30% of Indigenous adults meet healthy functioning criteria, linked to financial security and physical activity.

By: AXL Media

Published: Mar 5, 2026, 9:53 AM EST

Source: The information in this article was sourced from University of Toronto

Strengths based approach to Indigenous health

Researchers from the University of Toronto have conducted one of the first population level studies to examine well being in Indigenous communities through a lens of resilience rather than deficit. Published in the Journal of Indigenous Well-Being, the study utilized data from the 2022 and 2023 Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System to identify factors that support thriving individuals. The findings challenge traditional narratives that focus primarily on disparities by highlighting that nearly thirty percent of Indigenous respondents meet the criteria for healthy functioning despite historical and structural inequities.

Socioeconomic stability as a health determinant

The study established a powerful connection between financial security and physical wellness, noting that individuals who could reliably pay bills or access transportation had significantly higher odds of healthy functioning. Teagan Miller, a co-author and social work graduate, emphasized that financial stability acts as a primary health determinant rather than a simple economic indicator. Stable access to food, housing, and reliable transit were shown to meaningfully increase the likelihood of positive health outcomes, reinforcing the necessity for policy interventions that address systemic economic gaps.

Impact of chronic conditions and mental health

Chronic physical and mental health issues were identified as the strongest predictors of lower healthy functioning among the surveyed population. Specifically, respondents who did not experience depression were more than four times as likely to meet the study's well-being criteria compared to those who did. Associate Professor Philip Baiden noted that emotional wellness for Indigenous Peoples is deeply intertwined with community, family, and cultural identity. He argued that future interventions must incorporate Indigenous worldviews to effectively support emotional healing and overall wellness.