Social Determinants of Inuit Health
Comprehensive Report on the Social Determinants of Inuit Health by National Inuit Organization
Ottawa, ON, November 19, 2014: Inuit Tapiriit Kanatami, Canada’s National Inuit Organization and its National Inuit Committee on Health (NICoH) with expertise from the Inuit Public Health Task Group has released a comprehensive review on the Social Determinants of Inuit Health in Canada in response to the disproportionate health challenges Inuit face compared to non-Inuit Canadians. Inuit experience comparatively lower life expectancies, high rates of infant mortality and the highest suicide rates of any population group in the country.
The Social Determinants of Inuit Health in Canada report is an Inuit-specific resource designed to support public health activities across the Inuit regions in Canada and to function as a reference for organizations and governments working within the Canadian health and social service sector.
Drawing from current data sources and in collaboration with other Inuit organizations, agencies and governments, this report highlights the key social determinants of health for Canadian Inuit including: quality of early childhood development, culture and language, livelihoods, income distribution, housing, personal safety and security, education, food security, availability of health services, mental wellness and the environment.
The report determines that effective solutions to health disparities will involve addressing these underlying factors and focusing on a holistic view of health. While summarizing the key challenges that exist in each of these areas, the report and accompanying fact sheets also highlight practices that have resulted in positive outcomes for Inuit health.
Collaborators on the report include representatives from each of the four Inuit regions, the Chief Medical Officers of Health from the governments of Nunavut and Northwest Territories, Labrador Grenfell Health, and federal, provincial and territorial public health officials.
The report and fact sheets are available on ITK’s website under Publications: https://www.itk.ca/Zoe
Inuit Tapiriit Kanatami (ITK), formerly Inuit Tapirisat of Canada, is the national voice of close to 60,000 Inuit living in 53 communities across the Inuvialuit Settlement Region (Northwest Territories), Nunavut, Nunavik (Northern Quebec), and Nunatsiavut (Northern Labrador). Inuit call this vast region Inuit Nunangat. Founded in 1971 ITK represents and promotes the interests of Inuit on a wide variety of health, environmental, social, cultural, and political, issues and challenges facing Inuit on the national level. ITK does not deliver or fund programs, rather it is a national advocacy organization governed by a Board of Directors.
Key Quotes:
“The release of this report is a positive step forward. It highlights the inter-connectedness of these determinants and suggests that, in order to improve health disparities, we must take coordinated and innovative approaches to address the critical factors contributing to the overall health status of Inuit. While progress is being made, substantial work is still required to address the conditions that lead to poor health outcomes for Inuit.”
Mr. Terry Audla,
National Inuit Leader and President of ITK
“I was pleased to contribute my knowledge and expertise in the area of Public Health to the Social Determinants of Inuit Health report. The report’s findings underscore the importance of a more holistic view of health, particularly among Inuit.”
Dr. Maureen Baikie,
Chief Medical Officer of Health, Nunavut
Contact: Erin Filliter
Inuit Tapiriit Kanatami
Phone 613-238-8181
filliter@itk.ca
1101-75 Albert St
Ottawa, ON, K1P 5E7
NT5
