Respiratory disease in Canadian First Nations and Inuit children

First Nations and Inuit Children are disproportionately affected by respiratory infections such as viral bronchiolitis, pneumonia and tuberculosis. Rates of long-term lung disease following severe respiratory infections early in life, such as bronchiectasis, are also elevated. In contrast, rates of asthma may be somewhat less than in other Canadian children, although rates of poor asthma control are increased. Causes for the high rates of infections include poverty, overcrowding, housing in need of major repairs and better ventilation, and increased exposure to environmental tobacco smoke. Improving these issues will require addressing the social origins of health in First Nations and Inuit communities, including poverty and employment, building more and improving existing housing, and will likely require developing enhanced immunization and surveillance strategies.