Percentage of Indigenous children and youth aged 6 to 14 years who have a regular medical doctor, by Indigenous identity, Canada, 2012 – The Health of Canada’s Children and Youth

6.5.1 Percentage of Indigenous children and youth aged 6 to 14 years who have a regular medical doctor, by Indigenous identity, Canada, 2012

Chart
Table

	First Nations	Métis	Inuit
Indigenous Identity	82.2	88.2	35.2

Note: Excludes persons living on Indian reserves or settlements.

Source: CICH graphic created with data adapted from Statistics Canada. Table 577-0003 – Aboriginal Peoples Survey, access to and use of health care services, by Aboriginal identity, age group and sex, population aged 6 years and over, Canada, provinces and territories, occasional.

In 2012, 82% of First Nations children and youth aged 6 to 14 years had a regular medical doctor.

That was the case for 88% of Métis children and youth and 35% of Inuit children and youth.

Implications
Rural and remote Indigenous communities may lack access to regular health professionals, including physicians. Sometimes physicians may fly in and out of Indigenous communities on a regular schedule, and for the remainder of the time, healthcare needs are met by community nurses. This can result in delays in obtaining a timely diagnosis and treatment for illnesses, increasing the risk of more serious health outcomes.