The Embodiment of Inequity-Health Disparities in Aboriginal Canada

Health disparities are differences in the incidence, prevalence, mortality, and burden of diseases and other adverse health conditions that exist among specific population groups. Many health disparities are directly and indirectly associated with social, economic, cultural and political inequities associated with Aboriginal people.  In result of this, there is a much higher amount of many illnesses and social suffering throughout Aboriginal populations in Canada ("Health Disparities Defined," n.d.) 

Many of the problems that people in Aboriginal Communities face today, in regards to health disparities    are entrenched in the history of relations between Aboriginal peoples and the nation-state.  The health disparities are related to economic, political and social disparities of Aboriginal communities because of the limited information the people received in the past about the rights they had in determining and addressing their health needs.  The living conditions for the Aboriginal people were made very difficult and created many hardships. Paternalistic groups, forced relocation of communities to new and unfamiliar lands, placed children into institutions or far away from their families and communities, there were inadequate services to those living on reserves, racist attitudes were formed towards Aboriginal peoples. Many of the societal inequities that Aboriginal people were subjected to in the past have taken a large toll on their personalities in the form of disease, disability, violence, and deaths. (Adelson, 2005).

The issue of health disparities is just one of many of the major issues that add the endless circle of disadvantages among Aboriginal people in Canada. Many Aboriginal people in Canada are caught in a seemingly never-ending cycle of poverty, violence, educational failure and illness. Fortunately, the Canadian government system has recognized that there a large need of reduction in disparities in First Nations, Métis and Inuit health status.  Action is being taken at the community, regional, and nation level to understand the experience of disease, distress and social suffering many Aboriginal peoples in (Adelson, 2005).

I think that is very important that health officials today are beginning to understand that there are  different perceptive of illness in each one of their patients and also using different methods of care based on where the illness has rooted from. Also there has been an increase in today’s society of institutions that provide support and aid to Aboriginal peoples that seek guidance due to past and current hardships that have affect them as individuals. Our society has proven to be full of diversity with various cultures and religions congregating as a people. I believe that the health care system should be adjusted to further accommodate not only Aboriginal citizens, but all individuals to achieve a culturally diverse method of health care.

Lindsay 

Reference List:

Adelson, N. (2005). The embodiment of Inequity Health Disparities in Aboriginal Canada.Canadian Journal of Public Health, 96.

CRCHD - Health Disparities Defined. (n.d.). Center to Reduce Cancer Health Disparities. Retrieved from http://crchd.cancer.gov/disparities/defined.html