North Has Lowest Cancer Rate in Saskatchewan

North Has Lowest Cancer Rate in Saskatchewan

Tuesday, July 27, 2004 at 14:45

 

 

For the first time since 1998 a health indicators report has been completed in northern Saskatchewan.

 

A slight increase in the overall life-expectancy of northeners and a reduction in the death rate for infants are just some of the bright lights to come out of the latest health report for the north.

 

Chief Medical Health Officer for northern Saskatchewan Dr. James Irvine says the study also found that gradual improvements had been registered in the struggle to contain infectious diseases and that the rate of cancer was lower in the north than in other parts of the province.

 

Irvine says a lot of work still has to be done to help reduce diabetes, heart disease and other chronic conditions, but they are making progress.

 

He explains one of the reasons they do the study is to determine how social and environmental factors influence a person¹s health and no where are those qualities better reflected than in housing.

 

Irvine says the study was completed using information from both on and off-reserve residents.

 

He notes information taken from the study will be used

to develop programs and target needs in the three northern health regions.