HEALTH OF CANADIAN INUIT INFANTS

• Main Authors: Alison L Jenkins Ph. D, Theresa W Gyorkos Ph. D, Kate N Culman M. D, Brian J Ward M. D, Gary S Pekeles M. D, Elaine L Mills M. D
• Other Authors: The Pennsylvania State University CiteSeerX Archives
• Format: Text
• Language: English
• Subjects: OVERVIEW OF FACTORS INFLUENCING THE; Arctic; Tive; inuit
• Online Access: http://citeseerx.ist.psu.edu/viewdoc/summary?doi=10.1.1.665.5583; http://www.circumpolarhealthjournal.net/index.php/ijch/article/download/17526/19956/

Background. Inuit infants throughout the Arctic experience higher mortality and poorer health than their non-Inuit counterparts, and suffer disproportionately from bacterial and viral infections. Study design.This review examines the health status of these infants, with a focus on Canadian Inuit communities and reference to other circumpolar regions, as appropriate. It is based on a Medline search (1965 to present), special analyses of the 1996 Canadian Census and various national surveys, and selected government reports and docu-ments. Results. A wide range of inter-related factors affect the health of Inuit infants: their demographic, social, economic and physical environ-ment, as well as personal health practices and the availability of high quality, culturally appropriate health services. Some of these factors may influence the susceptibility of Inuit infants to infection. Smoking is highly prevalent in Inuit communities, and its indisputable nega-tive effects on health, including increased risk of respiratory tract in-fection in infants, represent an urgent public health challenge. Conclusion. Locally driven, focused and methodologically sound epi-demiological research that addresses key gaps in knowledge could lead to more appropriate and effective preventive strategies to improve health in northern communities.