Health of First Nations people in Manitoba has worsened over 20 years: research
New research published in the Canadian Medical Association Journal (CMAJ) on Monday found that the health of First Nations people in Manitoba has worsened over a 20-year period.
“These health disparities are understood to be part of the continuing impact of colonization and genocidal policies aimed specifically at Indigenous people,” wrote Dr. Alan Katz, a professor of family medicine who is the director of the University of Manitoba’s Manitoba Centre for Health Policy (MCHP).
Researchers from the First Nations Health and Social Secretariat of Manitoba and the MCHP looked at linked health data on more than 99 per cent of Manitobans registered for provincial health insurance in 2016 during the periods from 1994-95 to 1998-99; and 2012-13 to 2016-17. This totalled 140,910 registered First Nation people and 1,204,641 other Manitobans.
The researchers discovered the average life expectancy of First Nations declined; however, it increased for other Manitobans.
Some of the other findings include:
- The relative gap for premature death between First Nations and other Manitobans widened by 51 per cent;
- The relative gap in years of life lost increased by 32 per cent for First Nations men;
- The absolute gap in life expectancy between First Nations and other Manitobans increased from about eight years to about 11 years over time; and
- First Nations people had a higher decrease in primary care visits compared to other Manitobans, despite higher rates of hospitalization and more days in the hospital.
“These findings indicate that efforts to improve health outcomes among Indigenous people have been insufficient and should provide impetus for renewed action,” the authors of the research said.
“The Canadian health system must recognize the needs of First Nations, reported here and in many other studies, and take specific actions to decolonize health care, as determined by First Nations.”
The Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada has pointed out the health disparities between Indigenous and non-Indigenous peoples and called for action.
Of all the provinces in Canada, Manitoba has the highest percentage by population of First Nations people.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Young people 'tortured' if stolen vehicle operations fail, Montreal police tell MPs
One day after a Montreal police officer fired gunshots at a suspect in a stolen vehicle, senior officers were telling parliamentarians that organized crime groups are recruiting people as young as 15 in the city to steal cars so that they can be shipped overseas.
'It was joy': Trapped B.C. orca calf eats seal meat, putting rescue on hold
A rescue operation for an orca calf trapped in a remote tidal lagoon off Vancouver Island has been put on hold after it started eating seal meat thrown in the water for what is believed to be the first time.
Man sets self on fire outside New York court where Trump trial underway
A man set himself on fire on Friday outside the New York courthouse where Donald Trump's historic hush-money trial was taking place as jury selection wrapped up, but officials said he did not appear to have been targeting Trump.
Sask. father found guilty of withholding daughter to prevent her from getting COVID-19 vaccine
Michael Gordon Jackson, a Saskatchewan man accused of abducting his daughter to prevent her from getting a COVID-19 vaccine, has been found guilty for contravention of a custody order.
Mandisa, Grammy award-winning 'American Idol' alum, dead at 47
Soulful gospel artist Mandisa, a Grammy-winning singer who got her start as a contestant on 'American Idol' in 2006, has died, according to a statement on her verified social media. She was 47.
She set out to find a husband in a year. Then she matched with a guy on a dating app on the other side of the world
Scottish comedian Samantha Hannah was working on a comedy show about finding a husband when Toby Hunter came into her life. What happened next surprised them both.
B.C. judge orders shared dog custody for exes who both 'clearly love Stella'
In a first-of-its-kind ruling, a B.C. judge has awarded a former couple joint custody of their dog.
Saskatoon police to search landfill for remains of woman missing since 2020
Saskatoon police say they will begin searching the city’s landfill for the remains of Mackenzie Lee Trottier, who has been missing for more than three years.
Shivering for health: The myths and truths of ice baths explained
In a climate of social media-endorsed wellness rituals, plunging into cold water has promised to aid muscle recovery, enhance mental health and support immune system function. But the evidence of such benefits sits on thin ice, according to researchers.