The health of Canada’s Aboriginal children: results from the First Nations and Inuit Regional Health Survey

Abstract

Objectives. Reports on child health in Canada often refer to the disproportionate burden of poor health experienced by Aboriginal children and youth, yet little national data are available. This paper describes the health of First Nations and Inuit children and youth based on the First Nations and Inuit Regional Health Survey (FNIRHS). Study design. The FNIRHS combines data from 9 regional surveys conducted in 1996-1997 in Aboriginal reserve communities in all provinces. The target population consisted of all onreserve communities. All households or a random sample of households or adults (depending on province) were selected based on their population representation. Methods. One child was randomly selected from each participating household, except in Ontario and Nova Scotia, where children were randomly selected based upon their population representation. Alberta did not include the section on children's health in their regional survey.Results. Approximately 84% of adults, who were proxy respondents for their child, rated their children's health as very good or excellent. The most frequently reported conditions were ear problems (15%), followed by allergies (13%) and asthma (12%). Broken bones or fractures were the most frequently reported injuries (13%). Respondents reported that 17% of children had behavioural or emotional problems. Overall, 76% of children were reported to get along with the family "very well" or "quite well. " Health of Canadian Aboriginal children Conclusions. While most respondents rated their child's health as very good or excellent, injuries, emotional and behavioural problems, respiratory conditions and ear problems were reported among many Aboriginal children. Issues such as substance abuse, exposure to violence and academic performance were not addressed in the 10 core survey questions. Clearly there is a need for more in-depth information about both the physical and emotional health of Aboriginal children and youth. (Int J Circumpolar Health 2010; 69(2):158-167)

A screening mechanism to recognize and support at-risk Aboriginal children

“…3 Several reports document rates of mental illness and suicide that are five times the national average. [4][5][6][7][8] Given the high prevalence of poor mental health among Aboriginal youth in Canada, it is critical that population surveys include a process to ensure the safety of participants whose responses indicate potential risk to themselves or others. We were unable to identify any published best practices to operationalize this requirement.…”

Cancer Incidence, Mortality, and Stage at Diagnosis in First Nations Living in Manitoba

“…However, that difference appears to be changing because of behavioural, environmental, and social factors, and increasing life expectancy 3,4 . In Manitoba, where fn individuals constitute almost 10% of the population, health disparities in risk factors including obesity, type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular disease, periodontal disease, and renal disease between fn people and all other Manitobans (aoms) have been reported [5][6][7][8][9] . The incidence of and mortality from cancer also appear to be increasing among fn people [10][11][12] ; studies from both within and outside Canada have found poorer cancer survival among indigenous peoples [13][14][15][16][17][18] .…”

Fractures in indigenous compared to non-indigenous populations: A systematic review of rates and aetiology

“…Our computer-assisted search strategy yielded 3227 articles, of which 708 were potentially eligible. After screening, 283 articles remained as potentially eligible; the full-texts of those articles were read and cross-referencing against our pre-determined criteria, and 262 full text articles were excluded, leaving 21 articles that met our selection criteria (Leslie et al, 2004, Leslie et al, 2005, Leslie et al, 2006, Leslie et al, 2012, Leslie et al, 2013, Cauley et al, 2007, Cauley et al, 2011, Adsett et al, 2013, Buchanan et al, 2005, Chen et al, 2010, Frech et al, 2012, Jandoc et al, 2015, Kieser et al, 2002, Kruger et al, 2006, MacIntosh and Pearson, 2001, MacMillan et al, 2010, Oberdan and Finn, 2007, Pratt and Holloway, 2001, Stott et al, 1980, Wong et al, 2013, Nelson et al, 2011). The most frequent reasons for articles failing to meet the eligibility criteria at this stage of the identification process were: archeological investigations of skeletons (n = 91); studies investigated bone mineral density (BMD); bone mineral content (BMC) or body composition (n = 50); study populations investigated with regards to ethnicity not indigenous status (n = 37); or dental-based studies (n = 31); with the remaining 53 articles excluded for other reasons (Table 1).…”