REPORT - Indigenous Children's Health Report

A new report on Indigenous children's health in four countries has been released today by the Centre for Research in Inner City Health at St. Michael's Hospital in Toronto. The Indigenous Children's Health Report, authored by Dr. Janet Smylie and Paul Adomako, offers evidence of significant disparities between the health of Indigenous and non-Indigenous children. While the research focuses on the health of First Nations, Métis and Inuit children in Canada, the situation in Australia, New Zealand, and the United States is also explored.

Importantly, the authors write that "[g]iven the diverse genetic heritage of these widely dispersed Indigenous groups, we must conclude that similar exclusionary social policies active in all four countries are at the root of these profound and unjust differences in child health." (page 3)

The authors emphasize that the root causes of these disparities are social, not biological determinants of health (pg 9). Colonization, in particular, is named as a key determinant of health (pg 8). Solutions must not only respond to the effects of these determinants, but must also explore access to critical resources, especially differential access to health care (pg 9).

Despite the striking inequities recorded in the report, the authors note that a strong theme of resilience and resistance emerges (pg 9). These stories are also presented in the document.

The full report can be viewed in .pdf format here:
http://www.stmichaelshospital.com/pdf/crich/ichr_report.pdf

More information about the project team is here:
http://www.stmichaelshospital.com/crich/indigenous_childrens_health_report.php

Edmonton Sun article, "Native kids in uphill fight from birth, study finds":
http://www.edmontonsun.com/News/Canada/2009/03/31/8945386-sun.html