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NAHO Finds Release Of Metis-Specific Information A Step In The Right Definition

http://www.nationtalk.ca/modules/news/makepdf.php?storyid=18015

National Aboriginal Health Organization
MEDIA RELEASE
February 23, 2009
For Immediate Release

OTTAWA, ONTario — The National Aboriginal Health Organization (NAHO) commends Statistics Canada on the release of its article on Métis health and well-being today. The article, entitled An Overview of the Health of the Métis Population, summarizes findings from the 2006 Métis Supplement of the Aboriginal Peoples Survey.

“We have been saying for years that there is a clear gap in information about the health and wellbeing of Métis people,” said Dr. Paulette C. Tremblay, Chief Executive Officer of NAHO.

“The release of this Métis-specific information is an important step in the right direction towards closing that gap.”

The report analyzed Métis health and well-being by examining the social determinants of health – information such as demographic information, health behaviours and health care utilization.

Key findings outline many significant gaps in health between Métis and the total population, including the following:

- Métis tend to have high rates of chronic disease. Just over half (54 per cent) of Métis adults report having been diagnosed with a chronic condition.

- Twice as many Métis adults report asthma (14 per cent) and diabetes (seven per cent). For Canada, the rates are eight per cent and four per cent, respectively.

- The most common chronic condition reported for Métis youth was asthma, at rates almost double that of Canada’s total population – 20 per cent for Métis versus 11 per cent for Canada.

“Despite these gaps in health status, there are many positive signs of the increasing well-being of Métis, particularly among youth,” said Dr. Tremblay. “While we must address the significant gaps in health, we must not overlook the positive indicators that clearly demonstrate the resiliency of Métis.

This strength and resiliency is seen throughout the Statistics Canada report, particularly in the increasing health status of many Métis youth.”

Approximately one third of Métis people reported access to traditional medicines or wellness practices. Interestingly, Métis living in urban centres are more likely to report access to traditional healing practices.

Furthermore, almost 60 per cent of Métis adults rated their health status as very good or excellent.

And, according to the report, the Métis population in Canada is growing. In fact, the number of people http://www.nationtalk.ca 2009/2/23 - 1 identifying as Métis increased 33 per cent in the five years since the last Aboriginal Peoples Survey in 2001. There are now 389,785 people in Canada who identify as Métis, making up 33 per cent of the Aboriginal population in Canada of 1,172,790.

Dr. Tremblay went on to say, “Sound policy, programs and services are built upon good health information. At NAHO, we will be using this new information about Métis health to inform our work.

We hope it will inform the work of provincial and federal health initiatives for Métis.”

Catherine Graham, Director of the Métis Centre of NAHO says, “This is a great day for Métis in Canada. As this and other information begins to make its way to leaders, researchers and community members, we will hopefully begin to see programs and services developed in accordance with Métis needs and priorities.”

NAHO is proud to have played a role in the development of the report. A NAHO Métis Centre Research Officer, Joyce Seto, was one of the authors.

The National Aboriginal Health Organization is an Aboriginal-designed and -controlled body that works to influence and advance the health and well-being of Aboriginal Peoples through knowledge-based strategies.

For media inquiries, contact:
Colleen Patterson, Communications Officer
Telephone: (613) 237-9462 ext. 559
Toll Free: 1-877-602-4445 ext. 559
Cellular: (613) 863-9001

For more information, visit: www.naho.cahttp://www.nationtalk.ca