Taking a Life Course Perspective on Cardiovascular Disease and Diabetes in First Nations Peoples

Abstract

The burden of cardiovascular disease and diabetes and associated risk factors, such as obesity, smoking, impaired glucose tolerance, hypertension, and dietary factors, present a mix of factors that are detrimental to the immediate and longterm health of First Nations peoples in Canada. The authors use a life course perspective to examine the long-term effects of risk factors that are prevalent during gestation, childhood, adolescence, young adulthood, and adult life on developmental health and later disease risk. The resultant broader perspective may generate innovative approaches to addressing chronic disease in Canada's Aboriginal population.