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The Health of Cree, Inuit and Southern Quebec Women: Similarities and Differences

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Abstract

Using the data from a number of the surveys conducted over the last 10 years by Santé Québec, this study examines the health characteristics of two populations of Aboriginal women of northern Quebec compared to those of women in the rest of the province.

The northern populations had a larger proportion of young women. Aboriginal women have heavier family responsibilities than other Quebec women. Inuit women had a much higher prevalence of smoking and drug use. Alcohol consumption was less frequent in northern women, but the quantity consumed was higher compared to other Quebec women. Cree women tended to be more obese, had higher levels of blood glucose and lower levels of cholesterol. Inuit women tended to have lower rates of hypertension and higher rates of declared hearing problems and mental disorders. The similarities and differences observed among these three populations of women can assist decisionmakers in setting priorities with regards to maintaining and improving their health.

Résumé

Effectuée à partir de plusieurs enquêtes réalisées depuis 10 ans par Santé Québec, cette étude présente un tableau comparatif des caractéristiques liées à la santé de deux populations de femmes autochtones du Québec nordique par rapport à la population féminine du reste de la province.

Plus jeunes que les autres Québécoises, les femmes autochtones du Nord ont une charge familiale beaucoup plus lourde. Chez les Inuites, on observe des prévalences plus élevées de tabagisme et d’utilisation de drogue. La consommation d’alcool est moins fréquente parmi les femmes nordiques mais la quantité consommée est plus grande que chez les autres Québécoises. On retrouve des prévalences plus élevées d’obésité et d’hyperglycémie et des taux de cholestérol moins élevés chez les femmes cries alors que les femmes inuites sont moins nombreuses à souffrir d’hypertension. Ces dernières déclarent aussi plus souvent des problèmes d’ouïe et de santé mentale. Les convergences et divergences observées entre ces trois populations de femmes pourront éclairer les décideurs dans le choix des priorités à privilégier pour maintenir et améliorer leur santé.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Santé Québec Division, Institut de la statistique du Québec, 1200 McGill College Avenue, Suite 1620, Montreal, QC, H3B 4J8, Canada

    Claudette Lavallée MSc (Project Coordinator)

  2. Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, McGill University, Montreal, Canada

    Chantal Bourgault PhD2 (Doctoral Student)

Authors
  1. Claudette Lavallée MSc
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  2. Chantal Bourgault PhD2
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Claudette Lavallée MSc.

Additional information

The preparation of this manuscript was supported by a grant from the Centre of Excellence for Women’s Health-Consortium University of Montreal through the Programme of the Centres of Excellence for Women’s Health, Health Canada. Chantal Bourgault is the recipient of a post-doctoral fellowship from the Medical Research Council (MRC) of Canada.

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Lavallée, C., Bourgault, C. The Health of Cree, Inuit and Southern Quebec Women: Similarities and Differences. Can J Public Health 91, 212–216 (2000). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF03404274

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