St. Paul's Hospital tackling 'growing crisis' of heart condition in first nations with hiring of new chair

St. Paul's Hospital now has a research chair dedicated exclusively to the heart health of B.C.'s Aboriginal population.

"Heart health is what I would characterize as a growing crisis," said Dr. Jeff Reading, now the First Nations Health Authority chair in heart health and wellness at St. Paul's, andhimself a memberof the Mohawk nationfrom Ontario.

B.C.'sindigenous population has higher occurrences ofuncontrolled blood pressure, obesityand high cholesterol, he said.

Reading's research in partnership withSimon Fraser University's faculty of health scienceswill focus on ways to reduce cases of hypertension, heart attack,strokeand diabetes.

"We believe Dr. Reading is the perfect candidate to bring a distinct First Nations perspective to the clinical, academic and social determinants at work in this area," said CEO ofthe First Nations Health AuthorityJoe Gallagher in a statement.

Treating the root of the issue

Reading will focus on the root causes of poor health outcomes for First Nations.

"The multigenerational traumas of residential schools experience and the whole impact of colonization has put many indigenous people in the social circumstances of poverty, and poverty determines health across a range of health indicators," Readingsaid.

"To address the issue, there's the health services issues, access to care etcetera,and the preventative measures, but there's also the end of poverty, the idea that vulnerable children are being exposed to social circumstances that predict chronic illness."

The provincial government says Reading's research will help shape health care planning.

"This research will inform and guide how health care is provided for First Nations, promoting better health outcomes," said B.C. Health Minister Terry Lake in a statement.

"We must learn from each other, and by supporting research into heart health for First Nations, we're breaking ground on a new era of personalized health care," Lake's statement said.