Kimberly Huyser, an associate professor of sociology at the University of British Columbia, has been studying the health of indigenous peoples in relation to the pandemic since it began. She said it was not the particular virus that interested her, but the way in which she highlighted how health care often fails in the Native American population. “Exposure to disease and illness does not happen in a vacuum, it does happen within a social context,” Huyser told a Q&A with UBC. Unequal access to health care in remote communities, lack of clean drinking water and high levels of chronic health conditions are among the social factors that Huyser identified as contributing to the disproportionate impact of COVID on indigenous peoples. Indigenous families are also more likely to live in multi-generational homes, and have higher rates of diabetes, cardiovascular disease and asthma than non-natives, Huyser said. According to Indigenous Services Canada, the number of active COVID cases in First Nations people living in reserve was 1.6 times the percentage of the general Canadian population on March 22nd. READ ALSO: Racism against indigenous peoples is integrated into BC’s healthcare system: report Even when natives have access to quality health care, there is a significant barrier to mistrust and concern caused by decades of racism. However, Huyser said the solutions are already understandable. The recommendations from the Truth and Reconciliation Committee and the In Plain Sight report on indigenous racism in healthcare clearly outline what needs to be done to protect and empower indigenous peoples and communities. “The value of indigenous community autonomy and sovereignty has positive effects on health and outcomes,” Huyser said. He stressed the importance of making recommendations now to protect indigenous peoples and to ensure the transfer of knowledge and languages ​​between generations. READ ALSO: Pandemic underscores the value of culturally sensitive indigenous health care: experts @ janeskrypnekjane.skrypnek @ bpdigital.ca Like us on Facebook and follow us on Twitter. British ColumbiaHealth IndigenousUBC