Description:
This session will update and explore:
- The impact of iron deficiency anemia [IDA] in First Nations communities
- The role of iron in pregnancy and new insights into its role in a child’s early brain development which can impact lifelong learning
- Interventions to prevent and treat IDA including food based approaches, iron supplementation, iron infusions and communication strategies
- Current resources and an opportunity to exchange strategies or ideas as to what else is possible to promote iron health
Presenters:
Dr. Maggie Watt, MD CCFP
- Family Physician
Also:
Site Director
Integrated Clerkship – Cowichan Valley
Island Medical Program, University of Victoria
P: (250)597-0087
F: (250) 597-0167
Website: www.cowichanmaternityclinic.ca
BIO: Dr. Maggie Watt is a family physician with a strong commitment to ensuring access to comprehensive pre- and post-natal maternity care. She has contributed much time to the opening of a new Cowichan Maternity Clinic (March 2011), where a full scope of services are offered to moms and babies in a family-focused environment. She is also a great champion and advocate regarding iron status in pregnancy, introducing an iron infusion protocol as a safe alternative treatment. Topping off these achievements, she is a busy mom, keeping up with three active sons!
BIO: Cindy Hlus is a registered dietitian currently working with Ts’ewulhtun Health Centre of Cowichan Tribes and H’ulh-etun Health Society on a FNHC Best or Better Practices Iron Initiative to explore innovative strategies, grounded in First Nations knowledge and experience, to:
1) promote greater awareness about the importance of iron health on the overall well-being of community members and their families; and, 2) focus on optimizing iron health to reduce the risk of iron deficiency anemia for prenatal clients and young children.
