Methodology

The Inuit communities of Nunavik have experienced profound change in every aspect of their lives over the last few decades. As contact with more southerly regions increased, the Inuit changed their living habits, adopting a more sedentary lifestyle, modern living conditions and new eating habits. The survey conducted by Santé Québec in 1992 demonstrated that these changes had an impact on the health status of this population. Ten years later, the Nunavik Regional Board of Health and Social…

If the prevalence of diabetes is high in the general Québec population, studies done of Aboriginal communities show that the prevalence in this population are three to four times greater than those observed in the general population (Canada 1999). The prevalence of diabetes has increased significantly over the last 20 years among the Cree population of Northern Québec (Eeyou Istchee) aged 20 years and over, from a few cases before the 1980s, to about 5.2% in the late eighties, to 7.1% in…