CMAJ : Canadian Medical Association journal = journal de l'Association medicale canadienne
-
Indigenous youth have higher rates of chronic health conditions interfering with healthy development, including high rates of ear, dental, chest and musculoskeletal pain, as well as headache, arthritis and mental health issues. This study explores differences in pain-related diagnoses in First Nations and non-First Nations children. ⋯ First Nations children were diagnosed with more pain than non-First Nations children, but did not access specific specialists or mental health services, and were not diagnosed with mental health conditions, at the same rate as their non-First Nations counterparts. Discrepancies in pain-related diagnoses and treatment are evident in these specific comparative cohorts. Community-based health care access and treatment inquiries are required to determine ways to improve care delivery for common childhood conditions that affect health and development.