Indigenous Community Research Paper

The health of Aboriginal people in Canada is both a tragedy and a crisis (Aboriginal Affairs and North Development Canada, 2010). Aboriginals have a higher rate of death among aboriginal babies, twice the national average, higher rate of Infectious diseases example gastrointestinal infections to tuberculosis, and chronic and degenerative diseases such as cancer and heart disease are affecting more aboriginal people than they once did (AANDC, 2010). Availability of important medical facility is not enough to accommodate the growing medical needs of Aboriginals. A socioeconomic and cultural issue also hinders the access of aboriginals to access health care in the community.

It is well studied by health authorities that the current health statistics of the Indigenous population today are clearly reflected on their health status, due to the impacts of the colonisation process. The relating problems associated with this have resulted in destructive families and communities. It is unquestionable that Indigenous Australians were adapted to the environment in which people lived and had control on every feature of their life during the colonisation period. According to ‘The Deplorable State of Aboriginal Ill Health, Chapter 1’ (2014), studies that show that numerous infectious diseases; such as, smallpox and the flu, were not present in the pre-invasion period. It is also shown that lifestyle diseases such as high BP, diabetes and heart diseases were not known to exist.

Sherwood & Edwards (2006) cite that the worldview of health is in direct conflict with the Indigenous worldview and the way health and wellbeing are considered by Aboriginal people. Aboriginal health, care and wellbeing is not just the physical well-being of the individual but includes the social, emotional and cultural wellbeing of the individual and community (Sherwood & Edwards, 2006). Rather than focusing on isolating the specific cause of illness, health initiatives for Aboriginal communities look beyond the traditional biomedical model and adopt a model that incorporates the broader social determinants of health, which focus on Aboriginal societal structures and psychosocial factors (Dudgeon, 2014). Hence Aboriginal people view health differently, their concerns for health issues are diverse requiring a holistic and informed response.

The prevalence of diabetes is increasing in Canada, and is growing health concern. This increase is especially apparent in Canadian Aboriginal population where the estimated prevalence of diabetes is three to five times higher than in the general Canadian population. Because of the risk of several health complications such as coronary heart diseases, neuropathy, eye damage, kidney failure, and peripheral arterial diseases, diabetes is a one of the leading causes of mortality and morbidity. Developing health complications increases when diabetes is undiagnosed and represents unseen, but important burden with significant long-term impact on the people’s health status. First Nations individuals have more diabetes risk factors and suffer more diabetes-related health complications than non-Aboriginals. Therefore, accurate data on diabetes prevalence are essential for government, health care and research organizations.

Diabetes is a growing health concern within Aboriginal communities across Canada, it is a health concern that is often an underlying condition secondary to many other health issues and often goes undiagnosed or untreated. Many individuals within these communities choose to leave their diabetes untreated until it becomes life threatening and becomes too late to treat or control. According to Health Canada (2013), Aboriginal peoples who are living on reserves have a rate of diabetes that is three to five times higher as compared to Non-Aboriginal Canadians (Para. 1). The growing rate of diabetes is especially concerning amongst the Inuit communities, and is a growing concern; the rate of diabetes within this community is expected to steadily increase over the coming years from contributing factors such as lack of activity, poor nutrition and obesity (Health Canada, 2013). For these reasons alone it is important to raise awareness and educate these communities about diabetes and healthy lifestyle so that positive steps can be taken in order to maintain healthy living. Aboriginal peoples living in Canada have higher rates of diabetes as compared to non Aboriginal Canadians, and of the two types of diabetes, type 1 and type 2, the latter is more prevalent in First Nations communities (Brooks, Darroch, & Giles, 2013). With diabetes uncontrolled, an individual can come across many health problems such as poor circulation, foot ulcers, and sometimes even amputation (American

According to Vass, Mitchell, and Dhurrkay (2011), the incidence of chronic diseases such as type 2 diabetes, renal disease, cardiovascular disease and chronic obstructive airway disease among Indigenous Australians is quite significant. In addition, the presence of mental health conditions and infectious diseases such as scabies, skin infections and rheumatic fever has also attributed considerably to the disease burden (Vass, et al, 2011). As a disability support worker, I had the opportunity to look after indigenous clients. With my experience working with them, it shed some light on me with how they value their culture and gave me an insight on their view about health concerning issues. I had my misconceptions about how aboriginal people

The introduction to the western/European way of living, loss of ancestral land, intolerance and the economic disadvantages that Indigenous Australians suffer fuels socially related conditions within their communities such as substance abuse, violence, increased degrees of infectious diseases and chronic diseases etc. culminating in higher mortality rates than non-Indigenous Australians (Duckett & Willcox, 2011, p. 34-35). Stephens, Porter, Nettleton and Willis (2006) state that “infectious disease burden persists for Indigenous communities with high rates of diseases such as tuberculosis, and inequality also exists in the prevalence of chronic disease, including diabetes and heart disease” (p.2022). Statistics show mortality for most age groups of the

Different kinds of cancer, diabetes, infectious diseases as well as chronic diseases that was once unknown to the indigenous people has been on the rise within the

Health care for First Nations people, specifically for those who live in reserve communities receiving federally run services, has been founded on colonial ideology. This allowed and influenced the beginning of dependency of the First Nations people upon the European policy makers (Browne and Fiske 2001).

Carson, B., Dunbar, T., Chenhall, R. D., & Bailie, R. (2007). Social determinants of Indigenous health. Allen & Unwin.

For most indigenous people, health disadvantages begin at birth, and this inequity is appalling. Something must be done to close the gap by 2030.

Dementia is an increasing concern in Canadian Aboriginal populations. Canadian Aboriginal populations consistently experience an increased likelihood of negative health outcomes, an increased prevalence of risk factors for impaired health, and are largely understudied in health literature compared to the non-Aboriginal Canadian population (Bruce, Riediger, & Lix, 2014). These populations are comprised of three heterogeneous groups – First Nations, Métis, and Inuit. Historically, Aboriginal populations have experienced disproportionately high rates of infectious diseases, compared to the non-Aboriginal Canadian population, whereas a recent review of the Canadian Community Health Survey data for the years 2000-2001 compared to 2005-2006, stated

Over the years, the Native Americans have learned to adapt to the different climates and tried to survive in strange lands. Today, research suggests that poverty, crime, and the health care system on Indian reservations are the reasons why Native Americans are at higher risks for diseases, cancer, and even death. Poverty on the Native American reservations is constantly increasing due to unemployment. The high

It is very clear throughout this examination that the Attawapiskat First Nations are experiencing a health crisis that is in dire need of immediate action. The residents of this community cannot continue to live in these detrimental conditions without facing even further consequences to their physical, mental and spiritual health, and for future generations to come. Affordable housing, an increase in job opportunities, and a greater emphasis on education are all required to rebuild this community. This will allow the residents to regain control of their circumstances and live healthier and more prosperous lives. Despite the challenges that they have faced however, this community has remained positive and inspired by the outpouring of support

Health wise the Indigenous population of Canada have been found to have a much higher rate of major health problems in comparison to the non-Indigenous populations. Rates of cardiovascular disease, obesity, arthritis and hypertension are all higher than non-Aboriginal Canadian rates (First Nations and Inuit Reginal Health Survey, 1999). The Indigenous population comprised of 4.3% of the population in 2011 but accounted for 12.2% of