question

[nonce]

last year i was posed a question in my interview, regarding the health issues facing Aboriginals today. I had no clue, and did a very poor job asnwering the question.
I said something along the lines of it is more of a socio-economic issue, rather than a health issues isolated to Aboriginals. I backed this up with the fact that many of the problems faced with Aboriginals in Canada, are similar to those in the ghetto's of america, or other low income areas (i.e. addictions, pregnancy, etc.). I really did not know much, i basically said b/c of the socio-economic status, education std's were lower (i've read a stat that equates income with education, just can't remember the exact stat), and as a result, ppl turn to other things to escape the reality of their situation.

Now i know that, in part, a little of my above asnwer is true....drug use, alcoholism, teenage pregnancy, gambling etc. are more prevalent in the Aboriginal community...but i know that this was not what they were looking for...any info anyone could share with me? I've heard that diabetes is more prevalent in the Aboriginal community....i equate this with lifestyle...
any other insights? am i right about diabetes being more prevalent?

Any info/websites would be greatly appreciated, and excuse my ignorance...
thanks

[Kirsteen]

Hi there,

Yes, diabetes is more prevalent (to a great degree) as are suicides. It's really unfortunate. Have a look around the website leading from the link below; there's a lot of information there.

www.canadian-health-netwo...oples.html (http://www.canadian-health-network.ca/1aboriginal_peoples.html)

Cheers,
Kirsteen

[QM6]

Hey nonce,

I think I had the same question in my U of S interview last year too, and said basically the same thing about socio-economics... I also mentioned cultural aspects of medical care too - when I was volunteering at the Regina General I'd pass a sign for "Wasakaw Pisim" (sp?), one of the counselling services (I think) designed specifically for the Aboriginal population and just talked about how culturally-relevant care is particularly important, esp in the outpatient setting. Basically I think they were getting at seeing how well we understood some of the non-medical issues of medicine.

But as for medical issues in Aboriginal health, diabetes and rheumatoid arthritis are two things I remember are more common.

Good luck!

[edited for spelling]