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Genes, Environment and Diabetes in Canadian Aboriginal Communities

Chapter
Part of the Advances in Experimental Medicine and Biology book series (AEMB, volume 498)

Abstract

Mortality rates among aboriginal Canadians are higher than those in the general Canadian population1–3. This excess mortality is related to the increased risk of death from alcoholism, homicide, suicide and pneumonia in many native groups1–3. In contrast, some native groups have a markedly lower incidence of heart disease and certain types of cancer compared with the general Canadian population4–5.However, it has been suggested that the rapid cultural changes currently faced by many Canadian native groups may accelerate the development of “diseases of westernization”, such as atherosclerosis and related conditions 5–8. One factor that is inextricably linked to the anticipated rise of atherosclerosis in native Canadians is the emergence of diabetes mellitus as a health problem in certain native subgroups9.

Keywords

European Origin Traditional Diet Thrifty Genotype Remote Aboriginal Community Sandy Lake 
These keywords were added by machine and not by the authors. This process is experimental and the keywords may be updated as the learning algorithm improves.
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© Springer Science+Business Media New York 2001

Authors and Affiliations

  1. 1.Blackburn Cardiovascular Genetics LaboratoryJohn P. Robarts Research InstituteLondonCanada

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