Indigenous people have struggled vigorously with their diets and so have consequences that follow, by not having a well-maintained diet. With that, there are various issues involving how food is being sold, how it is being produced, and it is controlling how Indigenous people are obtaining their food. It is vital for everyone to have a meal that has all the continent that you need to have a healthy diet and be living with no serious diseases. Yet, people are consuming these unhealthy products because that is all they can afford or able to obtain because of where they live. Moreover, we as humans have to have a way to obtain the correct balance of nutrients in our diet. More specifically, it affects indigenous health, as of the early as 1960’s
“Hungry for Change” is an eye opening documentary made to explore the role that food plays in peoples’ lives. The experts, ranging from authors to medical doctors, address a variety of claims through testimonials, experiments, and statistical evidence. They not only state the flaws in this generation’s diet but also logically explain the reasons behind the downfall in peoples’ diet and offer better ways to approach our health.
American Indians have had health disparities as result of unmet needs and historical traumatic experiences that have lasted over 500 hundred years.1(p99) Since first contact American Indians have been exposed to infectious disease and death2(p19), more importantly, a legacy of genocide, legislated forcible removal, reservation, termination, allotment, and assimilation3. This catastrophic history had led to generational historical traumas and contributes to the worst health in the United States.2 American Indians and Alaska Natives (AI/AN) represent 0.9 percent of the United States population4(p3) or 1.9 million AI/AN of 566 federally recognized tribes/nations.5 American Indians/Alaska Natives have significantly higher mortality rates of intentional and unintentional injuries, chronic liver disease and cirrhosis, diabetes mellitus, cardiovascular disease and coronary heart disease and chronic lower respiratory disease than other American.6
Saggers, S., & Walter, M. (2007). Poverty and social class. In Bailie, Carson, Chanhall + Dunbar Social determinants of indigenous health. Crows Nest, N.S.W.: Allen & Unwin.
Carter , T., Morse, K., Giraud, D., & Driskell, J. (2008). Few differences in diet and health behaviors and perceptions were observed in adult urban native american indians by tribal association, gender, and age grouping. Nutrition Research, 28(12), 834-841. doi: 10.1016/j.nutres.2008.10.002
As we learned throughout the duration of the course through lecture, readings and discussions, Indigenous Canadians are faced with many determinants of health.
The 2007 publication of the latest Canada's Food Guide, with recommendations for healthy eating based on scientific evidence, including a customized version for First Nations, Inuit and Metis (CFGFNIM)1, revealed numerous gaps in the AFG in terms of new nutritional standards. In consultation with an advisory committee, a notice was issued on the preferred tool. Unanimously, the Atikamekw wanted to keep the AFG as a reference tool for their community while supporting its update. This preference for the GAA is due to the strong sense of cultural...
Calma, T. & Dudgeon, P. 2013, Mental health gap must be addressed, The Australian, .
Many people believe that Native Americans are a disadvantaged group of individuals in many ways. Culturally, in that many of the cultures of the various tribes across the Americas were taken from them by Europeans and their descendants. Socially, in that they are unlike other minorities in the United States because of their extra-constitutional status; and even medically, stemming from the general belief that Natives are at a higher risk for disease than other ethnicities due to tobacco and alcohol use, especially when used together (Falk, Hiller-Sturmhöfel, & Yi, 2006).
Statistics Canada reports that in 2017, the predicted life expectancy for the total Canadian population is projected to be 79 years for men and 83 years for women. Among the Aboriginal Population, the Inuit have the lowest life expectancy of 64 years for men and 73 years for women. Metis and First Nations people have a life expectancy of 73-74 years for men and 78-80 years for women.( 2015-11-30) There is a five to fifteen years life expectancy difference for men and three to ten years life expectancy difference for women when comparing aboriginal and general populations. This indicates that the health of first nation’s people is well below that of the general population. The socio-economic factors of living on a reserve like poor housing,contaminated
Ecological determinants consist physical, biological, social and chemical factors that have a significant effect on the individuals or populations health. Ecological Factors that have a major effect on the indigenous health include: having access to affordable healthy and nutritious food, pollution, animal, dust control, clean house/area, clean water supply and personal hygiene (Australian Indigenous HealthInfoNet 2015).
Aboriginal health is majorly determined by several social factors that are related to their cultural beliefs. Health professionals regularly find it difficult to provide health care to aboriginal people due to the cultural disparity that exists between the conventional and aboriginal cultures, predominantly with regard to systems of health belief (Carson, Dunbar, & Chenhall, 2007). The discrepancy between the aboriginal culture and typical Western customs seems to amplify the difficulties experienced in every cross-cultural setting of health service delivery (Selin & Shapiro, 2003). Most of the social determinants of the aboriginal health are due to their strict belief in superstition and divine intervention.
Many different factors affect the Native American People, in terms of social determinants of health include: access to care, cultural beliefs, high fat diet (mostly carbs/frybread), substance abuse and heritage(trust). Many of the issues faced are preventable with right approach to address their community. In order to gain trust in this community to help them is to use some of their own culture and change small pieces at a time rather than coming with a westernized idea right away and trying to have them forget about their heritage, that is what really stood out to me. With this approach and focusing on the highest risk for mortality or morbidity the problems in their communities can be eradicated and Native Americans can enjoy their heritage and culture but also utilize some other westernized benefits and gain trust of people trying to help them rather than the belief of being
Over the past century, many Native American groups have experienced social and environmental change and have had to deal with a variety of contemporary issues. Although Native Americans may be associated with the past due to popular culture, many different American Indian groups are strongly affected by modern issues. For instance, while type II diabetes is a major issue in many communities, it disproportionately affects Native Americans. Beginning in the 20th century, Native American groups have been affected by diabetes, and they are currently one of the populations that are at particularly high risk for developing the disease. American Indians and Alaska Native adults are 2.3 times more likely to be diagnosed with diabetes as compared to non-Hispanic whites, while youth from ages 10-19 are 9 times more likely to be diagnosed with diabetes (“Diabetes…”, 2012). The rates of incidence and prevalence are significantly high in Native American populations. In fact, the Pima Indians of Arizona have the highest reported prevalence of type II diabetes of any population in the world (Acton et al., 2002). Approximately half of adult Pima Indians have type II diabetes, and about 95% of the individuals with diabetes are overweight (“Obesity…”, 2002). This high prevalence rate is due to a variety of factors, including genetics and changes in lifestyle habits from more traditional to more typically Western. Thus, the high rate of diabetes among the Pima Indians can be attributed to social and environmental factors that have arisen as an issue relatively recently, and can hopefully be reduced with preventative intervention programs.
Furthermore, Ontario Works and ODSP rates do not allow persons living on remote reserves to maintain a healthy lifestyle and a decent standard of living (cite). One of the major factors contributing to food insecurity in northern First Nations populations is the elevated cost and affordability of food, Food Security Canada found that a family of four living in Attawapiskat $ 1,909.01 per month on groceries, in comparison to a Toronto family paying $ 874 per month. This results in persons on social assistance, spent more than half of their monthly income on food, which leaves little for other basic needs and does not allow for unexpected costs. Although within government social assistance, remote Indigenous Communities receive an “Northern
For Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples a culturally safe environment is one where we feel safe and secure in our identity, culture and community. According to the Victorian Aboriginal Child Care Agency the concept of cultural safety: