Indigenous Children's Health Report Highlights Disparities in Canada, the United States, Australia and New Zealand

    OTTAWA, March 30 /CNW/ - Indigenous children in Canada, the United
States, Australia and New Zealand experience higher rates of infant mortality,
child injury, accidental death as well as a host of other health ailments
compared to non-Indigenous children according to a new report released today
by the Centre for Research on Inner City Health. One of the first
international reports of its kind, the study by Dr. Janet Smylie provides
insight into common issues affecting Indigenous children's health around the
world.
    Indigenous Children's Health Report: Health Assessment in Action is an
international research project that summarizes health data on indigenous
children from Canada, the United States, Australia and New Zealand. The study
was led by Dr. Smylie at the Centre for Research on Inner City Health, part of
the Keenan Research Centre at the Li Ka Shing Knowledge Institute of St.
Michael's Hospital. In Canada, it looks at First Nations, Inuit, and Métis
children's health status and assessment.
    In all four countries, researchers found Indigenous children suffered
from infant mortality rates up to four times the national average, higher
rates of sudden infant death syndrome, child injury, suicide, and accidental
death. Indigenous children also experience a disproportionate amount of ear
infections, respiratory illnesses and dental problems.
    "Until now, there has been no comprehensive data source on Indigenous
child health in Canada - the data is flawed and incomplete," explained Dr.
Smylie. "It is our hope that the health information from this report will be
used to help develop strong policies and programs to improve Indigenous
children's health. We would like to see this research help to create positive
change and start the discussion on how to make the future better for all
Indigenous children."

    Among the report's Canadian findings:
    -   Sudden Infant Death Syndrome rates for First Nations with status in
        British Columbia and Inuit in Nunavik are three to 12 times higher
        than non-First Nations and/or non-Inuit rates respectively.
    -   The obesity rate for First Nations children living on reserve is 36
        per cent, compared to eight per cent for Canadian children overall.
    -   Vital registration, health care utilization, and surveillance data
        are nearly non-existent for First Nations without status, Métis, and
        urban Aboriginal children.

    "The health disparities we encountered are clearly tied to social issues
that disproportionately affect Aboriginal children," said Dr. Smylie.
"Approximately one-third of Aboriginal children come from low-income
households and food-security is a serious concern. Poor water quality and
substandard, overcrowded housing also contribute to health problems."
    Global Perspective on Indigenous Children's Health
    The report compared Indigenous to Non-Indigenous children from Canada,
Australia, New Zealand and the United States and found similar disparities.
    "There is no medical reason why such genetically-diverse Indigenous
groups would suffer from similar health issues," said Dr. Smylie. "But there
are similar social issues in all four countries that impact health."

    Social issues shared among countries included:
    -   The identification of colonization as a shared and underlying
        determinant of Indigenous health.
    -   Disparate numbers of Indigenous children live below the poverty line
        and/or in overcrowded accommodation impacting their health.
    -   Differential access to healthcare, economic and social resources for
        Indigenous children and their families compared to non-Indigenous
        populations.

    The Centre for Research on Inner City Health (CRICH) is Canada's only
hospital-based research organization focused on the health consequences of
urban life and social inequality. Across a range of health conditions and in
spite of universal health care policies, marginalized populations are at
greatest risk of illness and experience greatest unmet need for health care
services. CRICH generates scientific evidence and tools to address these
health care barriers and design effective interventions to reduce health
disparities. CRICH is part of the Keenan Research Centre at the Li Ka Shing
Knowledge Institute of St. Michael's Hospital.

For further information: Tina Quelch, Calador Communications, (416)
925-6034, tina@calador.ca