Risk factors and chronic conditions among Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal populations.
BACKGROUND
In Canada, the prevalence of behavioural risk factors and chronic conditions differs for Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal populations, but little research has examined changes over time. This study compares several major risk factors and chronic conditions in Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal populations not living on reserves in the North (Yukon, Northwest Territories, Nunavut) and in southern Canada at two time points.


METHODS
The data are from cycle 1.1 (2000/2001) and cycle 3.1 (2005/2006) of the Canadian Community Health Survey: 115,990 respondents aged 20 or older, and 118,716 respondents, respectively. Overall, 3.8% of respondents reported Aboriginal cultural or racial background. Crude prevalence estimates, adjusted odds ratios, and bootstrap-derived confidence intervals were calculated for seven risk factors and nine chronic conditions at each time point.


RESULTS
In 2000/2001, Aboriginal people in the North were more likely than those in southern Canada to be obese, smoke daily and have infrequent physical activity, but less likely report a number of chronic conditions. Between 2000/2001 and 2005/2006, the odds of reporting risk factors increased among Aboriginal people in the North, and differences in the prevalence of chronic diseases were less pronounced. Few differences between non-Aboriginal respondents in the North and in southern Canada were observed.


CONCLUSIONS
Compared with southern Canada, the profile of health is changing more rapidly for Aboriginal than non-Aboriginal populations in the North, and appears to be worsening for the former.
Lix
Lisa M
LM
School of Public Health, University of Saskatchewan, 107 Wiggins Road, Saskatoon. lisa.lix@usask.ca
Bruce
Sharon
S
Sarkar
Joykrishna
J
Young
T Kue
TK
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000437:Alcoholism / Q000208:ethnology; D002170:Canada / Q000453:epidemiology; D002908:Chronic Disease / Q000208:ethnology*; D015444:Exercise; D005260:Female; D006306:Health Surveys; D006801:Humans; D007198:Indians, North American; D004930:Inuit; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D050177:Overweight / Q000208:ethnology; D044469:Racial Groups; D012307:Risk Factors; D012907:Smoking / Q000208:ethnology