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Indigenous peoples at higher risk of tuberculosis

19 Nov 2008

Paul Chinnock

Source: CNW Group (see original article)
Source: Canadian Press (see original article)

Canada’s native (‘first nation’) peoples are 29 times more likely to be infected with tuberculosis than the rest of the population; in the case of the Inuit people, the figure is 90 times higher. In New Zealand, Pacific Islanders and Maoris are at least 10 times more likely to be infected. These were amongst the figures discussed at an international meeting in Toronto to look at the issue of TB in indigenous populations.

There are 370 million indigenous people worldwide living in more than 70 countries. There are no firm global estimates for TB incidence in most of these populations, but it is that the situation in Canada and New Zealand is likely to typical.

According to Dr Marcos Espinal, Executive Secretary of the Stop TB Partnership: ‘Indigenous peoples are at special risk of TB because of the conditions under which many live – in poor housing and with lack of access to health services. They also face cultural barriers and language differences that limit their access to TB prevention and treatment. Without reaching these disadvantaged groups, we will not attain the targets of the Global Plan to Stop TB.’

The meeting was the follow-up to a session at the United Nations Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues in April, which called for the development of a specific Indigenous-led initiative on TB to collaborate with the Stop TB Partnership.

Further information about TB and indigenous peoples may be found on the Health Canada website.