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June 24, 2009
AFN says UNICEF Canada Report Demonstrates Further Evidence that First Nations Especially Vulnerable to H1N1Assembly of First Nations National Chief Phil Fontaine said a report released today by UNICEF, entitled Aboriginal Children's Health: Leaving No Child Behind - the Canadian Supplement to State of the World's Children 2009, provides further evidence that First Nations are especially vulnerable to viruses like H1N1. “Today’s report by UNICEF demonstrates that the inequities in health services for First Nations, compounded by the poor social conditions found in too many of our communities, contributes to our poorer health status even in the best of times,” the National Chief said. “This is why First Nations are particularly vulnerable to H1N1. The World Health Organization already has pointed out that there is a link between the severity of H1N1 cases and poor living conditions, over-crowded housing, poor-quality drinking water, pre-existing chronic diseases and sub-standard healthcare. It is time for action to improve the conditions that make us the most vulnerable segment of the population.” The UNICEF report examined inequities in Canada’s health system that perpetuate health disparities between First Nations and other Canadian children. It states that federal investments in First Nations health services have not mirrored population growth, and that a number of services routinely provided to other Canadians are under-funded or denied. The report also notes that while there have been improvements in the health of First Nations children in recent years, inequalities persist such as higher infant mortality rates, lower child immunization rates, poorer nutritional status and endemic rates of obesity, diabetes and other chronic diseases. The AFN has called on governments to take three urgent measures to improve the response to pandemic outbreaks of H1N1 in First Nations communities. These include: striking an independent taskforce to study the recent outbreaks in Ontario and Manitoba and make recommendations to ensure more seamless service; developing and instituting national guidelines for service to First Nations; and providing investments that will allow every First Nation to develop a pandemic plan, as well as investing in Annex B which is the portion of the Canadian Pandemic Influenza Plan that addresses outbreaks in First Nations. AFN Ontario Regional Chief Angus Toulouse stated: “The chronic under-investment in health is unacceptable but it is not unique. In fact, as we have seen in report after report and study after study, First Nations are under-funded across the board and this is reflected in the poverty and poor conditions in too many of our communities. First Nations want to build their economies and ensure their people and communities are healthy, but making this a reality means putting an end to this fiscal discrimination.” “It should be clear to all Canadians at this point that the problem is not simply confined to the current H1N1 crisis,” said AFN Manitoba Regional Chief Bill Traverse. “We do need immediate action on that front, but even with that our communities will still be vulnerable and our people will still be living in conditions that would not be tolerated elsewhere in Canada. We need a government-wide response that involves working with First Nations to create a real, coordinated plan that will foster healthier communities and healthier citizens. We should all support this goal because strong First Nations make a stronger Canada.” While the majority of H1N1 cases have so far been mild, the World Health Organization (WHO) has warned that H1N1 could reappear in the fall and cause more severe illness.
The Assembly of First Nations is the national organization representing First Nations in Canada.
Contact: Bryan Hendry, Senior Policy Advisor Karyn Pugliese, AFN Heath Communications Officer |
