A new study says the life expectancy of First Nations people in B-C declined precipitously between 2017 and 2021.
A report from the First Nations Health Authority says the average lifespan of indigenous people in the province fell from 73.3 years to 67.2.
The two main reasons are the COVID-19 pandemic and the toxic drug crisis in B-C.
The Health authority notes that, while First Nations people in B.C. account for about four per cent of the population, they make up between 14 and 19 per cent of toxic drugs deaths.
Doctor Daniele Behn Smith, deputy provincial health officer for Indigenous health, calls the report “gut wrenching.”
The full report can be found here.
Something going on in your part of the Kootenays you think people should know about? Send us a news tip by emailing [email protected].
