Inuit tuberculosis rate 185 times greater than the rate of others born in
Canada; First Nations is 31 times higher

OTTAWA, March 9 /CNW Telbec/ - The Assembly of First Nations and the Inuit Tapiriit Kanatami will hold a joint press conference addressing the high rates of tuberculosis among Inuit and First Nations. The press conference is being held in anticipation of World TB Day, March 24, 2010.

New Public Health Agency of Canada (PHAC) data reveals that the TB rate among Inuit has risen to 185 times the rate of others born in Canada. The rate among First Nations is 31 times higher.

Contributing factors including inadequate housing, as a result of both overcrowding and construction ill suited to the Arctic climate, and immune systems severely compromised by a general lack of healthy, affordable food.

    
    Date:      March 10, 2010
    Time:      10 a.m. EST
    Location:  130s (Charles Lynch Press Theatre, Centre Block,
               Parliament Hill, Ottawa)

    Speakers

    Gail Turner, Chair of ITK's National Inuit Committee on Health
    AFN Regional Chief Angus Toulouse, National Portfolio holder for Health
    Catherine Moise, Lac Brochet FN Saskatchewan, TB sanitarium and
    Residential School Survivor.
    

Out of town media please call 416-340-2217 and quote pass code 4247752

Inuit Tapiriit Kanatami (ITK) is the national organization representing Inuit in Canada.

The Assembly of First Nations is the national organization representing First Nations in Canada.

For further information: Patricia D'Souza, Communications Officer, Inuit Tapiriit Kanatami, [phone], [email protected]; Karyn Pugliese, Acting Communications Director, Assembly of First Nations, [phone], [email protected]