Statistical Profile on the Health of First Nations in Canada

Health Canada has released the third report in its four-part series, A Statistical Profile on the Health of First Nations in Canada. The release of the last report in the series is planned for 2010-2011. These reports update information last published by Health Canada in 2005.

The series contributes to improving First Nations health by increasing the information available to health professionals, researchers, community leaders and policy makers. It contains detailed information on a range of health related topics, including determinants of health, hospitalizations, perinatal health, life expectancy, and communicable diseases among First Nations people.

This third report, Self-rated Health and Selected Conditions, 2002 to 2005, presents a national description of the health status of First Nations people on-reserve in Canada. The indicators discussed in this report are self-rated health, mental health and well-being, disability, and the prevalence and/or incidence of selected health conditions. The results show that the prevalence of disability among First Nations adults on-reserve is comparable to adults in the general Canadian population, however, there are certain conditions that continue to pose challenges.

The second report, Health Services Utilization in Western Canada, 2000, presents information on health services utilization in the year 2000 by the First Nations on- and off-reserve population, as identified in British Columbia, Alberta, Saskatchewan and Manitoba. In this report, health services utilization is reported in terms of hospitalizations and average length of stay in hospital as they provide an idea of which diseases or disorders place the greatest demand on the health care system. Results indicate higher rates of health care utilization by First Nations than the general population living in Western Canada.

The first report, Determinants of Health, 1999 to 2003, provides a snapshot of the non-medical determinants of health among First Nations living on reserve in Canada, including education, labour force characteristics, personal health practices, culture and physical environment. Figures show that some aspects of the determinants of health of First Nations living on reserve are improving, such as increases in the post-secondary education attainment, labour force participation and employment rates. At the same time, there are areas of ongoing concern, such as inadequate housing and water supplies and large discrepancies in employment and income levels compared to the general Canadian population. In keeping with Aboriginal approaches to 'wellness' - which encompass physical, social, emotional, cultural and spiritual spheres - the report addresses culture as a determinant of health, and uses language as an indicator of cultural preservation.

All three reports are available on-line as well as in print form. Online versions are available at the following address: First Nations, Inuit and Aboriginal Health - Reports and Publications. To obtain print copies of the reports, please contact the Health Information, Analysis and Research Division. It is important that you provide your full postal address in your request.