Sandy Lambert’s scientific contributions

For over ten years, DUDES Clubs have provided a safe and engaging space for mainly Indigenous men to access healthy supportive relationships, low-barrier wellness services, and connect with Indigenous cultural practices and worldviews. There are over 35 active DUDES Clubs throughout British Columbia and partner DUDES Clubs in other Canadian provinces. The DUDES Clubs help reduce structural inequities by decolonising health care interactions that often lead to disproportionately worse outcomes for Indigenous boys and men. DUDES Club members often discuss and deconstruct dominant forms of masculinity to highlight the impact of gender as a determinant of health and to be inclusive of evolving genders and masculinities. In this chapter, we will review our qualitative and quantitative evaluation of the impact of the DUDES Club model on its members and local communities. We highlight the member-driven foundation and organic evolution of each DUDES Club through men’s narratives that the DUDES Club provides a supportive pathway to individual and collective healing and wellness. We highlight examples of intergenerational learning and support. Lastly, we will discuss policy, advocacy, and practical considerations to provide a template for applying and supporting the DUDES Club model at the community level.

The DUDES Club is a novel men's health and wellness organization founded in 2010 in Vancouver, BC. Since 2017, the DUDES Club has rapidly expanded in Northern BC and, with the help of a partnership with the First Nations Health Authority, has grown to include 40 sites in British Columbia and 2 sites nationally. In this study, we analyze data from interviews (n = 5) and 15 focus groups (n = 101) conducted as part of a program evaluation with DUDES Club members, Elders, providers, and health care professionals. We focus on men's experiences with the DUDES Club to identify four main themes in the data: brotherhood and community, accessible health care information, disrupting colonial constructions of masculinity, and systemic and structural challenges. We conclude with policy recommendations. Keywords Indigenous men, community-based health promotion programming, men's health, qualitative program evaluation, social support.

Indigenous and men’s health represent challenging policy issues around the world. The DUDES Club, a novel men’s health organization founded in 2010 in Vancouver, B.C., attempts to address these issues. With the help of the First Nations Health Authority, the DUDES Club has expanded to 40 sites in British Columbia and two nationally. The purpose of this study was to evaluate men’s experiences with DUDES Club. To that end, we analyzed five interviews and 15 focus groups (n ≈ 101). We focused on men’s experiences with the DUDES Club to identify four themes: brotherhood and community; accessible health care information; disrupting colonial constructions of masculinity; and systemic and structural challenges. We conclude with policy recommendations.

Problem addressed In Canada, there are few health promotion programs for men, particularly programs focused on indigenous and other men marginalized by social and structural inequities. Objective of program To build solidarity and brotherhood among vulnerable men; to promote health through education, dialogue, and health screening clinics; and to help men regain a sense of pride and fulfilment in their lives. Program description The DUDES Club was established in 2010 as a community-based health promotion program for indigenous men in the Downtown Eastside neighbourhood of Vancouver, BC. Between August 2014 and May 2015, 150 men completed an evaluation survey developed using a logic model approach. Responses were analyzed based on the 4 dimensions of the indigenous medicine wheel (mental, physical, emotional, and spiritual). Evaluation results demonstrated high participant satisfaction and positive outcomes across all 4 dimensions of health and wellbeing: 90.6% of respondents indicated that the DUDES Club program improved their quality of life. Participants who attended meetings more often experienced greater physical, mental, and social benefits (P < .05). Conclusion Findings indicate that this innovative model is effective in promoting the well-being of mainly indigenous men through culturally safe services in an urban community.