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Potential years of life lost at ages 25 to 74 among Status Indians, 1991 to 2001

Publication: Health Reports 2011:22(1) www.statcan.gc.ca/healthreports

Authors: Michael Tjepkema, Russell Wilkins, Jennifer Pennock and Neil Goedhuis

Data: 1991 to 2001 Canadian census mortality follow-up study

Status Indian adults, those registered under the Indian Act of Canada, were about two and half times as likely as non-Aboriginal adults to die prematurely (before the age of 75) between 1991 and 2001. 

Deaths before age 75, and the potential years of life that are lost as a consequence, highlight the societal cost of early deaths.  These premature deaths reflect the disproportionate burden of illness and disease among Status Indians.

For Status Indian men, the overall difference in rates of potential years of life lost, or the "excess," was 8,700 years per 100,000 person-years at risk.  More than half (57%) of this excess was due to deaths resulting from injuries, followed by chronic diseases (31%) and communicable diseases (2%).  Road traffic accidents and suicides were large contributors to the excess in premature mortality. The chronic diseases that were particularly large contributors were cardiovascular diseases, digestive diseases such as cirrhosis of the liver, and diabetes mellitus.

Among Status Indian women, chronic diseases contributed the largest share (53%) of the 5,100 excess potential years lost per 100,000 person-years at risk, followed by injuries (35%) and communicable diseases (7%).  Cardiovascular diseases and cancer were large contributors, as were road traffic accidents, poisonings and suicides.

Compared to non-Aboriginal adults, Status Indians had lower levels of educational attainment and were more likely to be unemployed and to be in the lowest income quintile. These socio-economic factors explained a substantial share of disparities in premature mortality.

Full article

For more information about this article, contact Michael Tjepkema (1-613-951-3896; michael.tjepkema@statcan.gc.ca), Health Analysis Division, Statistics Canada.