Abstract
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Background
Keywords
Findings
Author
What is already known on this subject?
What does this study add?
Background
This study quantifies differences in life expectancy between residents of Inuit Nunangat and people in the rest of Canada; estimates the contribution of specific causes of death to the differences; and examines these differences over time, by sex and by age group.
Methods
A geographic approach was used to decompose differences in life expectancy for residents of Inuit Nunangat, compared with people living outside this geographic area. Differences in life expectancy by cause, sex, and age group were calculated using the discrete method of decomposition and were applied to abridged life tables. Causes of death were classified according to Global Burden of Disease categories. Attributable causes of death were calculated for causes amenable to medical intervention and for smoking-related diseases.
Results
The largest contributor to life expectancy differences between males in Inuit Nunangat and the rest of Canada was injury, particularly self-inflicted injury at ages 15 to 24. For females, the largest contributors were malignant neoplasm and respiratory disease at ages 65 to 79.
Interpretation
The gap in life expectancy between residents of Inuit Nunangat and the rest of Canada can be attributed to specific groups of causes occurring within specific age ranges.
Keywords
Aboriginal, cause of death, death rate, indigenous, longevity, mortality
Findings
Life expectancy in Canada has risen steadily over the past few decades and is among the highest in the world. However, increases in longevity and decreases in mortality are not equal for all population groups or regions. In particular, mortality rates in high-percentage Aboriginal areas are elevated for a range of diseases and injuries. [Full Text]
Author
Paul A. Peters (1-613-951-0616; paul.a.peters@statcan.gc.ca) is with the Health Analysis Division at Statistics Canada, Ottawa, Ontario, K1A 0T6.
What is already known on this subject?
- Life expectancy in Canada has been rising steadily over the past few decades and is among the highest in the world.
- Increases in longevity and decreases in mortality are not equal for all population groups or regions.
- Life expectancy for residents of Inuit Nunangat has been consistently lower than that estimated for people in the rest of Canada, while mortality and morbidity have been higher.
What does this study add?
- Differences in life expectancy between residents of Inuit Nunangat and people in the rest of Canada can be attributed to specific causes occurring within defined age ranges.
- For males, the largest contributor to life expectancy differences is self-inflicted injury, primarily at ages 15 to 24.
- For females, the largest contributors to life expectancy differences are cancers and respiratory diseases occurring at ages 65 to 79.
- Date modified: