The Green Timberwolf

First nations and infant mortality rates

By: Kenz

Maternal health: Should Harper focus on First Nations first? (2014, May 28). Retrieved from http://www.ctvnews.ca/health/maternal-health-should-harper-focus-on-first-nations-first-1.1841239

The first nations mortality rates are 1.5 times higher than Canadians. This is an issue that does not have near the awareness it needs. The typical Canadian may stereotype this issue on substance abuse during pregnancy, however, the leading cause of infant mortality in first nations is lack of resources and knowledge.

 Most first nations reserves are far from hospitals, and even when first nations get to one, they're rarely treated as an equal.  Aboriginal births, healthcare and surveillance details for non-status First Nation residents, Metis, and off-reserve native children is nearly "non-existent."  From many generations of discrimination towards the first nations, this has caused a major lack of knowledge in prenatal care.

 Retrieved from http://www.rqhealth.ca/about-us/about-us

Also, first nations spend more than 50% of their income on food. This leads to  less money for hospital visits and resources for the baby on the way.  Food Secure Canada did a survey where they compared the cost of roughly 70 basic food items in three northern Ontario reserves, (Moose Factory, Fort Albany, and Attawapiskat) to cities in southern Ontario. The study found the average monthly cost for a family of four to purchase the items in the northern communities is more than $1,900 in Attawapiskat compared to $850 in Toronto.

Stastna, K. (2014, April 12). First Nations housing in dire need of overhaul. Retrieved from http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/first-nations-housing-in-dire-need-of-overhaul-1.981227

Water and the Body. (n.d.). Retrieved from https://waterbody.weebly.com/unclean-water.html

Poor water quality and over-crowded houses are also a huge contributor to health problems among first nations.

Infant mortality is still a major problem in the first nations community and will continue if we don't do something about it. I was very upset with the lack of information on this topic when i was researching. I hope to bring awareness to as many people as i can and help make a difference.  

References

(map of hospital vs first nations reserve) (n.d.). Retrieved from http://www.rqhealth.ca/about-us/about-us

Bailey, S. (2009, March 30). Native infant mortality rate four times non-natives': Report. Retrieved from https://www.thestar.com/news/canada/2009/03/30/native_infant_mortality_rate_four_times_nonnatives_report.html

(babys hand holding mothers) Maternal health: Should Harper focus on First Nations first? (2014, May 28). Retrieved from http://www.ctvnews.ca/health/maternal-health-should-harper-focus-on-first-nations-first-1.1841239

Russell, A. (2016, September 12). $20 ground beef? Northern Ontario First Nations spend more than 50% of income on food. Retrieved from https://globalnews.ca/news/2934532/20-ground-beef-northern-ontario-first-nations-spend-more-than-50-of-income-on-food/

(first nations home) Stastna, K. (2014, April 12). First Nations housing in dire need of overhaul. Retrieved from http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/first-nations-housing-in-dire-need-of-overhaul-1.981227

(drinking dirty water) Water and the Body. (n.d.). Retrieved from https://waterbody.weebly.com/unclean-water.html