Health of First Nations children living off reserve and Métis children younger than age 6

Abstract

Background: Aboriginal children have been shown to experience poorer health, compared with their non-Aboriginal counterparts. Differences in health status may be associated with family and social conditions, lifestyle or behaviour, and cultural factors.

Data and methods: The current study examined the parent-/guardian-reported health of First Nations children living off reserve and Métis children younger than 6. This does not include the 43% of First Nations children who were living on reserves in 2006. Data from the 2006 Aboriginal Children's Survey were used to investigate measures of child health and assess possible associations with social determinants of health.

Results: Most First Nations children living off reserve and Métis children were reported to be in excellent or very good health. The most common chronic conditions reported by parents/guardians were asthma, speech and language difficulties, allergies, and lactose intolerance. Several social determinants were associated with child health, including parental education, household income, breastfeeding, and perceptions of housing conditions and health facilities in the community.

Interpretation: The findings suggest that social factors can be associated with parent-/guardian-rated health of First Nations children living off reserve and Métis children under age 6.