Action Against Tuberculosis among Canada's First Nations People

March 21, 2012
For immediate release

Factsheet: Health Canada's Strategy Against Tuberculosis for First Nations On-Reserve

OTTAWA - As part of the Government of Canada's commitment to reducing the rate of tuberculosis (TB) among Canada's First Nations people, the Honourable Leona Aglukkaq, Minister of Health, today released Health Canada's Strategy Against Tuberculosis for First Nations On-Reserve.

"Reducing the high rate of TB among First Nations people is an important goal for the Government of Canada," said Minister Aglukkaq. "Working with our many partners and stakeholders is the key to the success of this strategy."

Health Canada's Strategy Against Tuberculosis for First Nations On-Reserve was developed through extensive collaboration with many partners and stakeholders, including First Nations partners, representation from the provinces, the Public Health Agency of Canada and Canadian TB experts. The Strategy will leverage these partnerships to reduce the incidence and burden of TB by focussing on populations that are the most vulnerable, measuring progress, and making program adjustments as required to ensure effective TB control.

The Strategy will support First Nation communities as they work to improve efforts to combat TB. While this Strategy is a tool primarily for TB prevention and control programs being accessed by First Nations on-reserve, it can also serve as a reference document for health care professionals working with First Nations and Inuit across Canada.

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Media Enquiries:
Health Canada
(613) 957-2983

Cailin Rodgers
Office of the Honourable Leona Aglukkaq
Federal Minister of Health
(613) 957-0200

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