Doctors raise alarm over aboriginal youth injury rates – CBC.ca

Aboriginal children three to four times more likely to die from unintentional injury

CBC News Posted: Sep 8, 2012

The Canadian Paediatric Society says more needs to be done to prevent injuries among aboriginal children and youth.

According to Health Canada statistics, aboriginal children are three to four times more likely to die from unintentional injury than other Canadians the same age.

“Indigenous children are dying at a disproportionate rate compared to other Canadians and a lot of these injuries are preventable,” said Dr. Anna Banerji of the Canadian Paediatric Society.

The society says the most common causes of death due to injury are fires and motor vehicle collisions in children younger than 10, and motor vehicle collisions and drownings in children and youth aged 10 to 19.

NWT Chief Public Health Officer Dr. André Corriveau said deaths and injuries among aboriginal youth and children in the North are common. He blames mental health issues, risky behaviour, loose dogs and environmental factors.

Read more: https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/north/story/2012/09/08/north-aboriginal-youth-injuries.htmlread more