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Diabetes in First NationsIt can be difficult at the community level for people with diabetes to get help or have their voices heard. People ignorant of diabetes often do not appreciate its seriousness and downplay its importance amidst other issues. There is great competition to find space on band and council agendas to discuss diabetes. Many other issues take priority, example treaty and land claim negottiations, economic development, natural resources disputes, suicide, abuse and other social problems. In a catch 22, the angry and frustrated responses with which people respond to some issues, may increase their susceptibility to diabetes. Intertwined processes of cultural disruption and rapid lifestyle change including a diet high in fat, starches and sugar and lower level of physical activity, poverty, unhealthy living conditions, high levels of psycho-social stress and limited access to adequate health care and suport services put First Nations at a greater risk of Type 2 diabetes in comparison with non-aboriginals. Increasing acculturation is leading to higher rates of diabetes among Inuits. Elevated levels of stress are also related to loss of language, loss of culture and loss of positive self-identity and a range of personal, family and social problems resulting from residential schooling syndrome, racism, ageism, sexism, discriminatiion and stigmatiaed minority status. The health education and health promotion need to be expressed in terms of Native ways of believing, thinking, and doing. References: Canada. National Diabetes Information Clearinghouse. (2001) Diabetes in American Indians and Alaska Natives. Retrieved August 26, 2002 from Government of Canada web site http://www.niddk.nih.gov/health/diabetes/pubs/amind.../amindian.ht Hooper, B. (1995). Diabetes in First Nations: A Call to Action. Native Issues Monthly, Oct., 18-23. Ship, S. (2002). Diabetes and Change. Diabetes and Ageing inAboriginal Communities. 1-19 Retrieved August 28, 2002, from Http://wwwlniichro.com/Diabetes/Dia2.html.
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