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JUNE 2003 - Alberta Centre for Injury Control & Research

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• Four out of 10 First Nations people in <strong>Alberta</strong> died due to injury and<br />

poisoning between 1983 and 1999.<br />

• <strong>Injury</strong> is estimated to account <strong>for</strong> over half of potential years of life lost<br />

among First Nations in Canada.<br />

• Motor vehicle collisions, followed by suicide are the leading causes of injury<br />

related death among First Nations people.<br />

• The suicide rates <strong>for</strong> First Nations people in Canada are eight times that of<br />

the non-Aboriginal population.<br />

• In 2001, 86% of all hypothermia deaths with alcohol levels exceeding the<br />

legal limit to drive in <strong>Alberta</strong> were Aboriginal persons.<br />

• During the 10-year period of 1989-1998 First Nation Reserves in <strong>Alberta</strong><br />

accounted <strong>for</strong> 1% of all fires but 12.3% of all fire deaths.<br />

The cost of injuries in First Nations communities is estimated at $14 billion<br />

per year (1993). This cost includes direct and indirect costs. The impact of<br />

the injuries ranges from premature death, loss of family members, loss of<br />

family income and loss of productivity and member contribution.<br />

The First Nations and Inuit Health Branch of Health Canada, <strong>Alberta</strong> Region,<br />

undertook a consultation process with First Nations communities to better<br />

understand the nature of the injury problems and challenges in First Nations<br />

communities. The consultation process resulted in key principles, themes and<br />

recommendations <strong>for</strong> addressing the challenges. These are described in the<br />

report First Nations Communities in <strong>Alberta</strong>. A Dialogue <strong>for</strong> Action<br />

Planning: Addressing the Problem of Injuries. 24<br />

Farming injuries<br />

<strong>Alberta</strong> has a large agricultural population and economy. Like other areas,<br />

those involved in farming have also incurred injuries. Data was analyzed by<br />

the ACICR, using the Canadian Agricultural <strong>Injury</strong> Surveillance Program. 25<br />

Some facts about injuries associated with farming follow.<br />

• In <strong>Alberta</strong> between 1990 and 2000, 163 fatalities were associated with<br />

working on a farm.<br />

• The <strong>Alberta</strong> rate/100,000 farm population <strong>for</strong> fatalities associated with<br />

working on a farm was 7.9, the lowest in Canada.<br />

• Tractor-related fatalities accounted <strong>for</strong> 38% of all farm fatalities.<br />

• The highest at-risk group <strong>for</strong> fatalities associated with working on a farm are<br />

children and seniors.<br />

• The leading cause of a fatal farm injury is being pinned or struck by the<br />

machinery. However, among children aged less than 15 the leading cause is<br />

being run over by machinery.<br />

Making <strong>Alberta</strong> the Safest Place to Live<br />

78

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