Global Health Watch 1 in one file

Box C1.5 Health status of Indigenous peoples in four countries
Australia is a rich country (per capita GDP of US$ 28,260 in 2002) with a
high human development index (UNDP 2004). However, the health of its
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples – 460,140 people accounting
for 2.4% of Australia’s population (ABS 2002) – is significantly poorer than
that of other Australians. Indigenous men are expected to live to the age
of 56, some 21 years less than the national average (ABS 2003a). In 2001,
the incidence of tuberculosis for Indigenous people was 10 times that of
non-Indigenous Australians. Deaths from cardiovascular disease among
Indigenous people aged 25–54 are up to 15 times higher than other Australians
(ABS 2003b).
Bolivia is a very poor country (per capita GDP of US$ 2460 in 2002) with
a low human development index (UNDP 2004). Unlike Australia, half the
population is Indigenous – 4.2 million people from 37 distinct groups
(Feiring and Minority Rights Group Partners 2003). However, 20% of Indigenous
children die before they are one year old. Of those who survive the
first 12 months, 14% die before reaching school age (Alderete 1999). The
incidence of TB in Indigenous groups is five to eight times greater than
the national average.
Cambodia is another very poor country (per capita GDP of US$ 2060 in
2002), with a low human development index (UNDP 2004). It has a small
population of Indigenous people – around 100,000 in two provinces. More
than 20% of children under five suffer from malnutrition and 52% are classified
as underweight and stunted in growth (Health Unlimited 2002).
Uganda: In the near future, the Batwa pygmy tribe of Uganda (per capita
GDP of US$ 1390 in 2002) may die out altogether. Only half the Batwa children
born in Kisoro, Uganda, will reach their first birthday.
often depend on ecosystems that are rapidly deteriorating through no fault of
their own (van Oostdam et al. 1999, Merson 2000, Powell and Steward 2001). In
some instances, Indigenous peoples are exposed to environmental pollutants
that have been prohibited in other parts of the world, such as the continuing
use of DDT, Aldrin and Dieldrin in the western highlands of Guatemala.
Indigenous peoples often have higher rates of mental illness manifesting
as alcoholism, substance abuse, depression and suicide: for instance,
Indigenous peoples
169