Off Reserve Natives demand Priority

[Mr.Canada]

If this was my first time interacting with you I would think that you are being purposefully dense.

Never mind the insults. I want some cite or proof that Non Reserve Natives living in the cities are more at risk then non natives living in the same cities.

Very simple request. If people are going to insist that they be first I'd like to see some scientific proof from more than one source confirming this.

So if they don't get their own way are they going to blockade the health clinics?

[Wild Bill]

Never mind the insults. I want some cite or proof that Non Reserve Natives living in the cities are more at risk then non natives living in the same cities.

Very simple request. If people are going to insist that they be first I'd like to see some scientific proof from more than one source confirming this.

So if they don't get their own way are they going to blockade the health clinics?

You completely missed my point! Some races are more susceptible to some diseases than others. Some have a higher immunity than others. I cited just one example, sickle cell anemia, which is sadly a black disease. There are MANY others! I thought this was common knowledge. I will admit that I have the advantage of a wife who works in a civic Board of Health. She tells me that this has been common knowledge in the medical field for a LONG time!

That being the case, who CARES were they live? How is that relevant? Their genetics are what puts them at greater risk.

I'm a redhead with 'redhead skin'. I can get a burn from moonlight! Should I be denied priority treatment or preventative measures not given to other races for melanoma?

[Melanie_]

Of coarse, of coarse. I have no problem with cities getting it say before people like me who live in a more rural setting. The problem I have is how Natives who live in the city are more at risk than anyone else living in the same city according to some.

Another possible explanation, not connected to race... We know that the First Nations communities here in Manitoba were hit hardest with H1N1, but I'm not convinced that it had anything to do with vulnerability based on racial characteristics. I think it had more to do with the abysmal conditions on Northern reserves that the rest of us turn a blind eye to - lack of running water, overcrowding which can lead to transfer of the virus more easily, lack of accessible medical care. When someone comes to the city from a Northern community, they often stay with urban family members, which means that there is an increased risk for transferring the virus within the urban First Nations communities. It makes sense, then, to immunize those who might more easily come into contact with the virus.

[Smallc]

Another possible explanation, not connected to race... We know that the First Nations communities here in Manitoba were hit hardest with H1N1, but I'm not convinced that it had anything to do with vulnerability based on racial characteristics.

There is evidence, apparently, that genetics plays an important role in disease. It's not all about poverty, though it's definitely a contributing factor.

[Melanie_]

There is evidence, apparently, that genetics plays an important role in disease. It's not all about poverty, though it's definitely a contributing factor.

I understand that. But this is such a new disease, I don't see how one group could be more vulnerable than another based on purely racial characteristics, and there hasn't been enough time for any conclusive studies to be carried out. The potential impact of environmental conditions makes more sense to me, although I'm certainly not a medical expert - it's pure speculation on my part.

_{Edited for grammar}

Edited October 12, 2009 by Melanie_

[Smallc]

I'm not expert either. I'm simply going by what I've heard.

[charter.rights]

I understand that. But this is such a new disease, I don't see how one group could be more vulnerable than another based on purely racial characteristics, and there hasn't been enough time for any conclusive studies to be carried out. The potential impact of environmental conditions makes more sense to me, although I'm certainly not a medical expert - it's pure speculation on my part.

_{Edited for grammar}

This isn't a "new disease". It is a strain of the flu virus that has been around forever. We can tell from past experience the the elderly, the very young and people with poor nutrition are more susceptible to catching the flu with deadly consequences. And off reserve natives often fall into the latter category among with a whole segment of poor people who are often overlooked when such things happen.

[Molly]

It hardly matters why a greater susceptibility exists. In setting vaccination priorities. it only matters that an elevated susceptibility has been noted and confirmed.

[Melanie_]

It hardly matters why a greater susceptibility exists. In setting vaccination priorities. it only matters that an elevated susceptibility has been noted and confirmed.

It does matter, though, why the susceptibility exists - perhaps not in terms of setting the vaccine priorities, but certainly in fighting the disease overall. If it can be passed off as just "bad genes", there is not as much urgency in finding ways to protect a given population. But, if it has to do with environmental conditions, there has to be some consideration given to changing those conditions.

[Griz]

It does matter, though, why the susceptibility exists - perhaps not in terms of setting the vaccine priorities, but certainly in fighting the disease overall. If it can be passed off as just "bad genes", there is not as much urgency in finding ways to protect a given population. But, if it has to do with environmental conditions, there has to be some consideration given to changing those conditions.

Now the doctors are saying that the olympians should get priority

[Smallc]

I'm pretty sure that was only one doctor that said that. Health Canada and the Public Health Agency of Canada didn't seem to agree...thankfully.