Improve health of Aboriginals - CMA report

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The Canadian Medical Associatin has called on the federal government to take immediate action to raise the level of health among Aboriginal people.

In a book by the CMA entitled Bridging the Gap: Promoting Health and Healing for Aboriginal Peoples in Canada, the authors write it's the government's responsibility to take action to improve the alarming situation.

"Finding solutions to the complex health problems facing Aboriginal people is a challenging task that will require close collaboration among government, Aboriginals and health care professionals," said CMA president Dr. Richard Kennedy.

He was on hand to launch the book in Montreal at the CMA's annual meeting Aug. 15.

The federal government should try to immediately resolve certain issues affecting Natives, such as those of settling land claims and working toward solutions of social, political and economic self-determination for Aboriginal peoples, said Kennedy.

"We must be sensitive to providing culturally responsible and holistic health care delivery and health promotion; having Aboriginal peoples participate in their own health research; and encouraging physicians to collaborate with Aboriginal communities in identifying needs, planning health care delivery and remedying access problems.