SPECTRUM: A partnership approach to health equity through data
“We can achieve more by working together than we ever could alone.” This principle underpins SPECTRUM, a transformative partnership dedicated to leveraging Manitoba’s health and social data to promote health equity and social justice. SPECTRUM—Social Policy Evaluation Collaborative Team Research at Universities in Manitoba—is led by Dr. Marni Brownell, working alongside Dr. Anita Durksen, Deputy Minister of Health Scott Sinclair, and Dr. Stephanie Sinclair from the First Nations Health and Social Secretariat of Manitoba (FNHSSM).
At the heart of SPECTRUM is the Manitoba Population Research Data Repository, a comprehensive collection of linkable administrative, registry, survey and other data primarily relating to residents of Manitoba. Managed by the Manitoba Centre for Health Policy, an HDRN Canada member, the repository is a powerful tool for evidence-based research and policy development. “Our goal is to harness this incredible resource to support impactful research beneficial to academic researchers, community groups and government agencies alike,” said Dr. Brownell in her presentation to HDRN Canada’s Big IDEAs About Health Data Speaker Series.
Governments are hungry for insights. Effective research communicates clearly, highlighting actionable findings ~ Deputy Minister Scott Sinclair
SPECTRUM’s work is guided by respect for Indigenous data sovereignty and the ethical frameworks and governance structures developed by FNHSSM. “We have a sacred responsibility to gather, analyze and share our stories according to our nationhood,” explained Dr. Sinclair, noting SPECTRUM’s adherence to principles such as free, prior, informed consent, OCAP® (Ownership, Control, Access, and Possession), and ensuring direct benefits to First Nations communities involved in research.
A key SPECTRUM project examined the impacts of placing children into out-of-home care, revealing significant disparities and sparking critical policy discussions. “While only 15 percent of children in Manitoba are First Nations, they represent 80 percent of children in the welfare system,” Dr. Durksen pointed out. Findings underscored the benefits of familial support, including lower rates of teen pregnancy, crime involvement and incarceration, offering compelling evidence to guide policy improvements.
According to Scott Sinclair, SPECTRUM’s work is essential if the provincial government is to develop evidence-based policy. “Governments are hungry for insights. Effective research communicates clearly, highlighting actionable findings,” he said, advising researchers to deliver findings clearly in order to make complex data meaningful for policymakers.
SPECTRUM continually engages community partners, ensuring research questions remain relevant and inclusive. Dr. Durksen emphasized this collaborative approach, explaining, “We’re always asking, ‘Are we asking the right questions? What is going to be of value to you? Is the evidence we’re producing actionable?’” This ensures that SPECTRUM includes diverse perspectives at all stages of research, she added: “We’re building in processes to meet our community partners in their spaces at times that work best for them, ensuring all voices are heard.”
For Dr. Brownell, this underscores the importance of community voices and collaborative spirit in SPECTRUM’s ongoing efforts: “Trust and relationships are foundational to producing research that genuinely improves lives.”
Watch and share the recording of the SPECTRUM team’s Big IDEAs About Health Data presentation, A Partnership Approach to Producing Impactful Research.