ARCHIVED - Aboriginal Health - Your Health Research Dollars at Work 2006-2007

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The Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR) is the Government of Canada's agency for health research. Through CIHR, the Government of Canada invested approximately $21.5 million in 2006-07 across Canada in Aboriginal health research.

The Facts

Life expectancy and the burden of disease for Aboriginal Canadians differ from other Canadians. From the data that are available we know the following:

  • In 2000, First Nations males had a life expectancy of 68.9 years compared to 76.6 years for females. In comparison, non-Aboriginal Canadians' life expectancies in 2001 were longer by 8.1 years for males and 5.5 years for females.*

  • The infant mortality rate among First Nations in 2000 was 6.4 deaths per 1,000 live births, compared to the total Canadian infant mortality rate of 5.5.*

  • The tuberculosis rate among First Nations people is 6.2 times higher than in the general population.*

  • Diabetes is 2.7 times more prevalent among First Nations than in the general population.*

  • First Nations peoples on reserves have reported rates of heart diseases 16% higher than the general population.*

* Health Canada (First Nations and Inuit Health Branch) 2000

Finding Solutions

Conducting respectful research

Who "owns" the DNA samples that researchers study? According to CIHR-supported researcher Dr. Laura Arbour of the University of British Columbia, researchers must view biological samples obtained from Aboriginal communities as "DNA on loan", and any research carried out using these samples must reflect the needs and priorities of the community. Researchers should also take steps to involve community members in the research process and share any study results with the community.

Aboriginal women suffer too many broken bones

Manitoba First Nations women are about two times more likely to have a hip fracture than non-Aboriginal women. Research from the First Nations Bone Health Study, a collaboration between the Assembly of Manitoba Chiefs and the University of Manitoba (UofM), has found that First Nations women in the province have lower-than-expected bone density. The study, led by CIHR-supported researcher Dr. William Leslie of UofM, also found lower vitamin D levels, which are thought to weaken bone (vitamin D helps absorb calcium so it gets into bones). This information is useful for health authorities to start raising awareness among First Nations women concerning the need to increase consumption of vitamin D.

Aboriginals with HIV/AIDS - Better services needed

The rate of HIV/AIDS within Canada's Aboriginal community is on the rise. CIHR-supported researcher Dr. Randy Jackson of the University of Ottawa and head of the Canadian Aboriginal AIDS Network is identifying areas for improvement in health-care services to Aboriginal people with HIV/AIDS. A survey by Dr. Jackson found that nearly half of respondents felt they received poor care and 30% said they experienced racial prejudice or homophobia in the health-care system. An alarming 12% reported they simply do not use primary medical services. Meanwhile, 60% of respondents said they use or need traditional Aboriginal health and wellness services, such as sharing/healing circles.

Traditional cures useful for treating diabetes

Indigenous knowledge may be of benefit in treating diabetes, according to CIHR-supported research by Dr. Pierre Haddad of the University of Montreal. His study shows that several plant extracts that have been used medicinally for centuries by Cree elders in Northern Quebec can relieve a number of symptoms that are typical of type 2 diabetes, such as frequent urination and increased thirst. With more research, scientific evidence of these traditional cures could one day be used to help reduce the burden of diabetes in Aboriginal communities.

The Researchers

Dr. Malcolm King - Providing mentorship for Aboriginal research

Dr. Malcolm King describes himself as having had a "good long career". But he says many problems still need his attention. One such problem is the poor health of Canada's Aboriginal peoples. Another is the state of Aboriginal health research in Canada.

"We need research that is culturally appropriate," Dr. King stresses. Historically, Canada's Aboriginal communities have had researchers who simply drop in, do their research with no involvement or benefit for the community, and leave.

Dr. King, a lung specialist from the University of Alberta (UofA), is providing leadership for a CIHR training and development initiative known as the Aboriginal Capacity and Developmental Research Environments (ACADRE) program. The program helps Aboriginal communities become owners of their own health research by increasing the number of Aboriginal health researchers and involving Aboriginal communities in the research process.

Dr. King, who is a member of the Mississaugas of the New Credit First Nation, leads the Alberta ACADRE, one of eight such centres located across Canada.

"We started with seven network members, mostly in Edmonton, and now there are 18 investigators from across Alberta who are part of the network. We've been able to bring people in who had skills to offer and in five-to-six years we'll develop a new generation of researchers," he predicts.

The program is helping Aboriginal communities take control of their health. ACADRE member Dr. Ellen Toth of the UofA has helped Alberta's Driftpile First Nation measure the extent of the diabetes problem facing the community and is moving into the next phase of the project, health promotion.

"The community is really taking the lead and they'll manage the health promotion," Dr. King says, a clear sign that the process is working.

About CIHR

The Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR) is the Government of Canada's agency for health research. CIHR's mission is to create new scientific knowledge and to catalyze its translation into improved health, more effective health services and products, and a strengthened Canadian health-care system. Composed of 13 Institutes, CIHR provides leadership and support to more than 11,000 health researchers and trainees across Canada.

Canadian Institutes of Health Research
160 Elgin St., 9th Floor, Ottawa ON K1A 0W9
http://www.cihr-irsc.gc.ca/