At the Foot of the Giant: An Overview of Respiratory Disease in Northwestern Ontario amongst First Nations Communities

Birubi Biman, MD
NOSM University, Thunder Bay, ON

This presentation will provide an overview of the prevalence of common respiratory illnesses in Northwestern Ontario, including the First Nations communities. These illnesses include pneumonia and airways disorders including COPD. The challenges experienced by smaller communities, including geography and travel, in accessing health care will also be explored.

Learning Objectives
At the end of this presentation, attendees will be able to:

• Compare prevalence of common respiratory disorders in this region against the rest of Ontario;
• Describe the geographical distribution and location of communities in the North relative to health care delivery sites; and
• Identify social determinants of health that affect respiratory health outcomes in the North.

CanMEDS Roles: Collaborator, Health Advocate, Leader, Professional, Scholar