State of the knowledge: Inuit public health, 2011

January 2011

Inuit health in Canada has its own unique challenges. This report synthesizes current knowledge to 2011 and identifies trends and gaps for the four northern Inuit regions (Inuvialuit, Nunavut, Nunavik and Nunatsiavut) and southern Canadian cities. The report draws attention to issues such as diabetes, sexually transmitted infection rates, youth suicide, climate change and data gaps, while noting that “no single public health issue facing Inuit can be addressed in isolation.” Report author Dr. Emilie Cameron calls for holistic, culturally-sensitive initiatives to address complex and inter-generational public health problems, including Inuit-specific health indicators and the need to address underlying social, cultural and economic factors affecting the health of Inuit peoples.