The Relationship between Traditional Cultural Engagement and Health: Data from Miawpukek First Nations Regional Health Survey

Abstract

Background: It is widely accepted that culture is an important determinant of health. However, the impact that cultural engagement has on health outcomes among First Nations peoples is not well understood. Purpose: This study explored the relationships between cultural engagement in traditional activities and health outcomes among a representative sample of adults from Miawpukek First Nations using data from the 2008 First Nations Regional Health Survey. Findings: Although the correlation between traditional activities and health was less than the other variables, traditional activities had significant findings in some of the results, showing that even after considering all the variables included in the other four categories, traditional activities still had significant correlation with the sample as a whole and in several subject groupings. Conclusion: Although this study showed modest correlation between health and cultural engagement, even after including other social determinants it can be said that cultural engagement does impact health.