title: Social, cultural, and land use determinants of the health and well-being of Aboriginal peoples of Canada: a path analysis.
abstract: We explored the contributions of social, cultural, and land use (SCLU) factors to Aboriginal well-being and health using path analysis and data collected from 2 of 614 First Nations in Canada. Information gathered from a structured questionnaire with questions related to seven domains of well-being and contributing factors led to key findings: (i) the SCLU domain is the most important; (ii) the most important SCLU factors are the percentage of household meals of traditional diets and the impact of government regulations on land use; (iii) the most important Health domain factors are the prevalence of mental and psychological problems and the quality of health services; and (iv) the SCLU factors of access to cultural sites, the freedom to participate in spiritual activities, and the impact of government regulations on social and cultural life have a profound effect on mental health. Improving Aboriginal well-being and health may depend on incorporating SCLU factors into new, holistic policies.
authors.affiliation: University of Toronto, 33 Willcocks Street, Toronto, Ontario, Canada M5S 3B3. shashi.kant@utoronto.ca
authors.forename: Shashi
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Kant
authors.forename: Ilan
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Vertinsky
authors.forename: Bin
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Zheng
authors.forename: Peggy M
authors.initials: PM
authors.lastname: Smith
mesh_terms: D002170:Canada; D003466:Cultural Characteristics; D005260:Female; D006304:Health Status; D006801:Humans; D007198:Indians, North American / Q000523:psychology*; D008297:Male; D010067:Ownership; D010549:Personal Satisfaction; D017678:Sex Distribution; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires