19. We call upon the federal government, in consultation with Aboriginal peoples, to establish measurable goals to identify and close the gaps in health outcomes between Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal communities, and to publish annual progress reports and assess long-term trends. Such efforts would focus on indicators such as: infant mortality, maternal health, suicide, mental health, addictions, life expectancy, birth rates, infant and child health issues, chronic diseases, illness and injury incidence, and the availability of appropriate health services.
Therefore, the TRC recommends that the federal government take action to address the inequity in the health, and medical care available to aboriginal communities. It is important that the federal government take steps to solve the socio-economic issues that lead to increased risk of disease, such as the poor access to clean drinking water that too many aboriginal peoples suffer from, food insecurity, and lack of education that would aid in preventing disease. The federal government would need to work in consultation with aboriginal communities so that the unique challenges that indigenous peoples face could be met with informed solutions.
Aboriginal peoples living in indigenous communities face more health related challenges, and have fewer resources to combat such challenges, than non aboriginal peoples. In aboriginal communities, infant mortality rates are two to four times higher than in non-aboriginal communities.
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Compiled by: Sadie Moland