Is Geographical Isolation Associated with Poorer Outcomes for Northern Manitoba First Nation Communities?

Authors

  • Josée G. Lavoie Department of Community Health Science, University of Manitoba, Canada
  • Wanda Phillips-Beck First Nations Health and Social Secretariat of Manitoba, Canada
  • Kathi Avery Kinew First Nations Health and Social Secretariat of Manitoba, Canada
  • Stephanie Sinclair First Nations Health and Social Secretariat of Manitoba, Canada
  • Grace Kyoon-Achan Department of Community Health Science, University of Manitoba, Canada
  • Alan Katz Department of Family Medicine, Manitoba Centre for Health Policy, University of Manitoba, Canada

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.18584/iipj.2021.12.1.10475

Keywords:

primary care, primary health care, Aboriginal, Indigenous, avoidable hospitalizations, mental health, chronic conditions, geography, remoteness, First Nations

Abstract

This study tested the assumption that geographical isolation is associated with poorer population health outcomes among First Nations in Manitoba. Our results show higher premature mortality rates (PMR) in northern communities, declining slower than for any other Manitoba communities. Our results also show lower ambulatory care sensitive conditions (ACSC) hospitalization rate in the North, suggesting barriers to prevention and early diagnosis. There remains a large gap in ACSC hospitalization rates between First Nations and all Manitobans. Further research is warranted to understand the relationship between the changes in the rates of ACSC and the difference in the rates between northern and southern communities.

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Published

2021-01-28

Issue

Vol. 12 No. 1 (2021)

Section

Research

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Copyright (c) 2021 Josée G. Lavoie, Wanda Phillips-Beck, Kathi Avery Kinew, Stephanie Sinclair, Grace Kyoon-Achan, Alan Katz

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