module 3 contemp. health, resil

8/7/2019 Module 3 Contemp. Health, Resil

1/22

Contemporary Health & Resiliency:Current epidemiological perspectives and positive aspects of Aboriginal peoples health


2/22

Contemporary health

Since WWIIMany infectious diseases remain ata higher level than the rest of theCanadian populationNew emerging infections are athreatHIV/AidsShift to chronic, non-communicablediseasesEpidemic of injuries, unintentional

and intentional


3/22

I nfectious Disease

T uberculosis 1997-2000 Average incidence rate Non Aboriginal-

1.4/100,000

First Nations-37/100,000 Inuit-62/100,000Gastro-enteritis

Community infrastructure, water supply, sanitation Encouraging breast feeding

T ransfer of protective anti-bodies

PneumoniaMeningitis

(Public Health Agency of Canada, 2004 & Waldram,2006)


4/22


5/22

Cancer Compared to the Canadian population cancer is less of a problem

for Aboriginal peoplesMost common forms of cancer in Aboriginal peoples Lung Breast Colon Cervix-increasing trend

Detection and ScreeningBC Pap smear registry shows lower coverage among AboriginalwomenManitoba females at higher risk for cervical cancer but lesslikely to have pap in last year

In interviews with BC Cancer Agency researchers Aboriginalwomen were not comfortable talking about Pap Smears, evenamong friends and family.Embarrassment and discomfort, particularly among malephysicians

Cultural factors need to be taken into considerationin screening and detection programs


6/22

Chronic Diseases

Compared to the Canadianpopulation Aboriginal peoples have

higher rates of:CVDHypertension

Blood lipidsDiabetes ( T ype II)Obesity

I f I could I would eat traditional food everyday, like

wild meat. That s why our people lived so long. There was

never really anyoneoverweight.

M om and Grandmateach me how to make

real delicious traditional food, like different meats

and bannock.


7/22

I njuries and Violence

Injuries account for 25% of all Aboriginalpeoples deaths compared to 10% in the

Canadian populationIn the 90s vehicle accidents were the highestranking of injury deaths (24%), then accidentalpoisoning (20%) then sucide (20%)


8/22

Distribution and Causes of Death, 2000


9/22

I njuries and Violence

Aboriginal communities in close proximity tobodies of water

Drowning rate in Canada in the 90s was twice to 10

times the national rateHospitalization rate for burns is 4 times higher forFirst Nations in Manitoba

Quality of housing in FN communities is responsible

for the excessive risk of fire related injuries

A good time to discuss on reserve housing!


10/22

SuicideA n epidemic among First

Nations Youth2 9:100,000 Aboriginal, 13:100,000 nonAboriginal.

High frequency in particular communities

whereas other communities report none.Occurs much youngerFN mean age 27 , non-Aboriginal meanage 4 7Males

On reserveCluster suicide

A high number of self inflicted deathsoccurring in temporal and geographicalproximity

Healing Traditions: Ch 8 Suicide as a way of belonging


11/22

SuicideR isk factors for Aboriginal People from R CAP report of suicide, Choosing Life :

Psychobiological factors-pre existing mental illness(depression, anxiety disorder, schizophrenia).Life history of situational factors-early childhood trauma,current dysfunction in family, substance abuse, conflict withauthority, absence of spiritual commitment.Socioeconomic factors-poverty and unemploymentCulture Stress- loss of confidence in understanding life(norms, values and beliefs that were taught to them withintheir original cultures)

Waldram, Aboriginal health in Canada


12/22

Suicide

Cultural continuity as a protective measure One reason for cluster suicide

Chandler and Lalonde researchhttp://www.suicideinfo.ca/csp/assets/alert5 2 .pdf http://web.uvic.ca/~lalonde/manuscripts/1998TransCultural.pdf

See results section


13/22

Domestic and Family Violence

39% of respondents reportedexperiencing family violence

1991 Aboriginal Peoples SurveyMultiple theories and models toexplain the reasons for rampantdomestic violence in AboriginalpeoplesA song sums up many of them.Eekwol-Aboriginal rapper fromMuskoday FNToo Sick- Domestic Violencehttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0XuYikRU l7 g


14/22

Discussion

In the song T oo Sick by Eekwol what causeswere given for domestic and family violence?

How do these reasons relate to other healthissues that Aboriginal people face in Canada?


15/22

Substance AbuseHighly related to violence

High proportion of children who are substance abusers compared to non-AboriginalCase study: The Innu of Northern Labrador and Quebec

Relocated in 196 7 from their traditional lands of 6000 years Nomadic lifestyle and traditional hunting and ways of life ended Canadian government wanted to establish industrial and military base on the traditional

Innu land Result-poverty, violence, addictions.

http://archives.cbc.ca/society/poverty/clips/11506/

The aftermath: Many families airlifted to treatment centers around the country and then returned to

community with much media attention

The causes of substance abuse not addressed-poverty.


16/22

Substance Abuse

What s working:

Community basedapproaches

Culturally relevantmodels of healingTackling poverty

Aboriginal Healing Foundation, 2 003.


17/22

Aboriginal Healing Foundation review of best practice intreatment and healing


18/22

R esilienceThe capacity to spring back fromadversity and have a good life outcomedespite emotional, mental or physicaldistress.

Culture and resilience intersect andhelp shape traditions, beliefs andhuman relationships.

The resurgence of Aboriginal beliefsand practices, accompanied bytraditional resilience promotionstrategies, has given rise to promisinginterventions.

Culture is powwows and hoop dances, and how we

grew up .



19/22


20/22


21/22



22/22

R esilience

There are hundreds of stories of resilience among Aboriginal peoples inCanada

Despite great risk factors we have manyAboriginal people who go on to beleaders in our community

From doctors, chiefs, educators, and goodparents

Aboriginal identity and culturalcontinuity is a very important part of resilience for Aboriginal peoples

module 3 contemp. health, resil

Documents