Diseases and Health Conditions
First Nations people and Inuit face some serious health-related challenges,
such as high rates of chronic and contagious diseases and shorter life
expectancy.
For example, 15 per cent of new HIV and AIDS infections occur in Aboriginal
people.
Compared to the general Canadian population,
- Heart disease is 1.5 times higher;
- Type 2 diabetes is 3 to 5 times higher among First Nations people
and rates are increasing among the Inuit; and
- Tuberculosis infection rates are 8 to 10 times higher.
Health Canada is committed to closing the health status gap between
First Nations people and Inuit and non-Aboriginal Canadians by working
together to encourage healthy lifestyles, reduce and prevent diseases,
and provide health care services.
What Information is Available
In this section, you will find information on Health Canada programs
which help First Nations people and Inuit improve their health and decrease
the rates of diabetes, tuberculosis, HIV and AIDS.
You will learn what is being done to address West Nile virus in First
Nations communities, as well as have access to fact sheets and other
resources on how to prevent diseases and know their symptoms.
|