Letter to Editor regarding article "Aboriginal health programming under siege, critics charge" (CMAJ.ca - September 4, 2012)

2012-136
September 6, 2012

The CMAJ's September 4^th article Aboriginal health programming under siege, critics charge did not include key facts that would have provided a balanced view of federal aboriginal health programs.

I would like to make your readers aware of the following:

Our government is investing significantly in the health of all Canadians, including Aboriginal people.

During a time of deficit reduction, funding was maintained for all federally-funded front-line health care services in First Nation and Inuit communities, including nursing.

Unlike the claims made in your article, our government is making sure Aboriginal voices are heard when it comes to health research that is supposed to benefit their communities. 

I recently announced an additional $25 million to support research addressing suicide, tuberculosis, oral health and obesity as part of the Pathways to Health Equity for Aboriginal Peoples initiative.

The Pathways program requires researchers to work collaboratively with community leadership, to help avoid situations where studies are created in ivory towers of academia, but don't have any positive impact on the lives of actual people.

As a Northerner, I am well aware of the health challenges faced by Aboriginal people in this country.  Our government is investing strategically to help narrow the health gap between aboriginal and non-aboriginal Canadians.

Sincerely,

Leona Aglukkaq
Minister of Health

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