In Canada's province British Columbia, there are major health disparities between non-Indigenous and Indigenous peoples. First Nation people across Canada statistically experience higher rates of "morbidity, chronic illness, acute trauma from accidents and violence, suicide, addiction, mental health issues, unwanted teenage pregnancy, and exposure to high-risk environments".
The research team focused on health issues occurring in reserves in central British Columbia. Through conducting qualitative research analysis they found three "themes" that were brought up by most participants interviewed for the study. These themes were cited as reasons that access to decent health care was difficult for the Indigenous people, physically or mentally, across all ages. These themes were as follows:
- Spatially distant from health care resources (ie; hospitals, doctor's offices, etc.)
- Social distancing due to racism or legal boundaries of reserves
- "Uncommon ground"; the distance due to language barriers or uneasiness in a foreign environment
As many of the reserves are in rural areas, it is understandable that spacial distances from urban centers with higher rates of health care providers and resources would be a cause of poorer health care. What's more, many of those interviewed must travel on "dangerous roads" or feel uncomfortable traveling by hitchhiking, which was cited as often the easiest way to get there. The traveling to health care providers comes with financial repercussions as well. One woman said she could lose out on over a hundred dollars every day of traveling. What's more, for those with serious physical ailments, traveling long distances or for a day or so at a time, can prove to be physically debilitating or impossible.
Socially many of those interviewed felt isolated from areas where they could find adequate health care. Many interviewees noted on the overt racism of some health care providers, mentioning their direct accusal from a doctor or nurse that they were alcoholics or drug abusers.
In some cases, there was an inability to translate, through language or cultural barriers, what a health care provider was attempting to say. The incorporation of individuals who speak in Native tongues, or the additions of some aspects of "Native medicine" into hospitals and health care resources could prove to be a major help in increasing the health of First Nation people.
As of right now, First Nation men have the lowest life expectancy of the region. First Nation women have significantly lower life expectancy that their non-Indigenous counterparts. It appears that some very simple change could significantly alter their access to health care options and could prove to increase health across the board.
Sarah de Leeuw , Sean Maurice , Travis Holyk , Margo Greenwood & Warner Adam (2012): With Reserves:
Colonial Geographies and First Nations Health, Annals of the Association of American Geographers, 102:5, 904-911
http://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080/00045608.2012.674897
Access to health care, or lack-thereof, is a huge problem in the US, but I think it's interesting that it is a problem in Canada, where they so famously have universal healthcare. But, if it is difficult for access this healthcare that is supposed to be provided (hitchhiking?), or certain populations simply cannot receive adequate services due to prejudice or language barriers, there may be major issues that need to be addressed. This is a neat way to use GIS and illustrate the problem.
ReplyDeleteHere is an interesting article on other ways Canada's First Nation are using GIS:
http://ecotrust.ca/forestry/first-nation-launches-new-gis-program-sea-sky
A Canadian tribe is using GIS to map out their territory, scared spaces, and even local resources that should be protected. It is not necessarily related to access to health care, which is still an issue, but does show another use for GIS technology in benefiting oppressed populations.