In 2008/2010, one-third of First Nations children living on reserve age 0 to 11 years had been told by a health care professional that they had at least one health condition.¹

Allergies and asthma were the most diagnosed chronic health conditions with both seeing a slight decrease from 2002/2003 to 2008/2010.

In 2008/2010, the average age of diagnosis for asthma was 2.3 years of age and the majority (79.2%) of First Nations children living on reserve with asthma had, at some point, taken medication (e.g. Ventalin) for their asthma. Of these First Nations children, approximately half take asthma medication at least once per week (44.3%), with 23.4% taking asthma medication at least once per day.¹

In 2008/2010, dermatitis or atopic eczema was diagnosed in 7.5% of First Nations children living on reserve with the average age for diagnosis being 2.2 years of age.

In 2008/2010, 6% of First Nations children under age 12 living on reserve had been diagnosed with chronic ear infections. This number is significantly lower than data reported for Inuit children age 3 to 5 in the 2007/2008 Inuit Child Health Survey.  The Inuit Child Survey reported that 37% of children had had an ear infection in the previous year with 84% receiving treatment.²

¹First Nations Regional Longitudinal Health Survey (RHS) 2008/10, National report on adults, youth and children living in First Nations Communities. https://fnigc.ca/sites/default/files/docs/first_nations_regional_health_survey_rhs_2008-10_-_national_report.pdf-accessed July 12, 2017.
²The International Polar Year Nunavut Inuit Child Health Survey, 2007/2008. http://www.inuithealthsurvey.ca/pdf/Child_Inuit_Health_Survey_Aug_31.pdf-accessed August 27, 2017.