Mortality in Innu communities in Labrador, 1993-2018: a cross-sectional study of causes and location of death

In Canada, most people prefer to die at home. However, the proportion of deaths that occur in hospital has increased over time. This study examined mortality rates and proportionate mortality in Innu communities in Labrador, and compared patterns to other communities in Labrador and Newfoundland. We...

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Main Authors: Russell Dawe, Jack Penashue, John C. Knight, Andrea Pike, Mary Pia Benuen, Anastasia Qupee, Nathaniel J. Pollock
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Taylor & Francis Group 2024-12-01
Series:International Journal of Circumpolar Health
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Online Access:https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/10.1080/22423982.2024.2378581
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author Russell Dawe
Jack Penashue
John C. Knight
Andrea Pike
Mary Pia Benuen
Anastasia Qupee
Nathaniel J. Pollock
author_facet Russell Dawe
Jack Penashue
John C. Knight
Andrea Pike
Mary Pia Benuen
Anastasia Qupee
Nathaniel J. Pollock
author_sort Russell Dawe
collection DOAJ
description In Canada, most people prefer to die at home. However, the proportion of deaths that occur in hospital has increased over time. This study examined mortality rates and proportionate mortality in Innu communities in Labrador, and compared patterns to other communities in Labrador and Newfoundland. We conducted a cross-sectional ecological study with mortality data from the vital statistics system. This included information about all deaths in Newfoundland and Labrador from 1993 to 2018. We used descriptive statistics and rates to examine patterns by age, sex, cause and location. During the 2003 to 2018 period the leading cause of death in the Innu communities (excluding external causes) was cancer, followed by circulatory disease and respiratory disease. Between 1993 and 2018, there was a lower percentage of hospital deaths and a higher percentage of at home deaths in Innu communities than in the rest of the province. The majority of deaths among Innu were due to cancer and chronic diseases. We found a higher percentage of at home deaths in Innu communities compared to the rest of the province.
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spelling doaj-art-8d306e648f00425184f53d9d21dba6522024-11-29T19:53:25ZengTaylor & Francis GroupInternational Journal of Circumpolar Health2242-39822024-12-0183110.1080/22423982.2024.2378581Mortality in Innu communities in Labrador, 1993-2018: a cross-sectional study of causes and location of deathRussell Dawe0Jack Penashue1John C. Knight2Andrea Pike3Mary Pia Benuen4Anastasia Qupee5Nathaniel J. Pollock6Discipline of Family Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Memorial University, St. John’s, NL, CanadaInnu Nation, Sheshatshiu, NL, CanadaData and Information Services, Digital Health, NL Health Services, St. John’s, NL, CanadaPrimary Healthcare Research Unit, Discipline of Family Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Memorial University, St. John’s, NL, CanadaSheshatshiu Innu First Nation, Sheshatshiu, NL, CanadaSheshatshiu Innu First Nation, Sheshatshiu, NL, CanadaSchool of Arctic and Subarctic Studies, Labrador Campus, Memorial University, Happy Valley-Goose Bay, NL, CanadaIn Canada, most people prefer to die at home. However, the proportion of deaths that occur in hospital has increased over time. This study examined mortality rates and proportionate mortality in Innu communities in Labrador, and compared patterns to other communities in Labrador and Newfoundland. We conducted a cross-sectional ecological study with mortality data from the vital statistics system. This included information about all deaths in Newfoundland and Labrador from 1993 to 2018. We used descriptive statistics and rates to examine patterns by age, sex, cause and location. During the 2003 to 2018 period the leading cause of death in the Innu communities (excluding external causes) was cancer, followed by circulatory disease and respiratory disease. Between 1993 and 2018, there was a lower percentage of hospital deaths and a higher percentage of at home deaths in Innu communities than in the rest of the province. The majority of deaths among Innu were due to cancer and chronic diseases. We found a higher percentage of at home deaths in Innu communities compared to the rest of the province.https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/10.1080/22423982.2024.2378581Innufirst nationsIndigenouslabradormortalityend of life care
spellingShingle Russell Dawe
Jack Penashue
John C. Knight
Andrea Pike
Mary Pia Benuen
Anastasia Qupee
Nathaniel J. Pollock
Mortality in Innu communities in Labrador, 1993-2018: a cross-sectional study of causes and location of death
International Journal of Circumpolar Health
Innu
first nations
Indigenous
labrador
mortality
end of life care
title Mortality in Innu communities in Labrador, 1993-2018: a cross-sectional study of causes and location of death
title_full Mortality in Innu communities in Labrador, 1993-2018: a cross-sectional study of causes and location of death
title_fullStr Mortality in Innu communities in Labrador, 1993-2018: a cross-sectional study of causes and location of death
title_full_unstemmed Mortality in Innu communities in Labrador, 1993-2018: a cross-sectional study of causes and location of death
title_short Mortality in Innu communities in Labrador, 1993-2018: a cross-sectional study of causes and location of death
title_sort mortality in innu communities in labrador 1993 2018 a cross sectional study of causes and location of death
topic Innu
first nations
Indigenous
labrador
mortality
end of life care
url https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/10.1080/22423982.2024.2378581
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