Date of Award

January 2013

Document Type

Open Access Thesis

Degree Name

Master of Public Health (MPH)

Department

School of Public Health

First Advisor

James Hadler

Abstract

Despite the high level of control Canada exerts over tuberculosis (TB) at the national level, the people of Nunavut suffer from extraordinarily high rates of TB, resulting in a disproportionate level of morbidity due to this contagious disease in the territory. Almost all cases of TB occur in Canadian Aboriginal peoples, and Nunavut may be experiencing an ongoing TB outbreak. The factors contributing to high TB rates in Nunavut have not been documented at length. This paper presents a novel look at TB in Nunavut, with a focus on the Inuit who comprise approximately 85% of the population. Using data collected by Statistics Canada, the United States CDC, the Greenlander government, and previous literature on the subject amongst the Inuit and comparable populations in Greenland and the United States (specifically Alaskan natives), the incidence of TB was revealed to be greatest in Nunavut. Results show the high rates of TB in Nunavut are most likely due to a failure in TB control with socioeconomic conditions compounding the serious situation. The work presented here has direct implications for the implementation of targeted control programs in Nunavut that may help solve the severe TB problem and improve Inuit health.

Comments

This is an Open Access Thesis.

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