The global burden of respiratory infections in indigenous children and adults: A review

Abstract

This review article focuses on common lower respiratory infections (LRIs) in indigenous populations in both developed and developing countries, where data is available. Indigenous populations across the world share some commonalities including poorer health and socioeconomic disadvantage compared with their nonindigenous counterparts. Generally, acute and chronic respiratory infections are more frequent and more severe in both indigenous children and adults, often resulting in substantial consequences including higher rates of bronchiectasis and poorer outcomes for patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Risk factors for the development of respiratory infections require recognition and action. These risk factors include but are not limited to socio-economic factors (e.g. education, household crowding and nutrition), environmental factors (e.g. smoke exposure and poor access to health care) and biological factors. Risk mitigation strategies should be delivered in a culturally appropriate manner and targeted to educate both individuals and communities at risk. Improving the morbidity and mortality of respiratory infections in indigenous people requires provision of best practice care and awareness of the scope of the problem by healthcare practitioners, governing bodies and policy makers.

Prevalence and nature of lung function abnormalities among Indigenous Australians referred to specialist respiratory outreach clinics in the Northern Territory

“…The globally increasing burden of respiratory disorders is considered to be one of the major causes of morbidity and mortality . In Australia, respiratory diseases are particularly prevalent among the indigenous population (compared to non‐indigenous people), especially those living in remote communities . Among Australian Indigenous people, respiratory illness is the second most commonly reported chronic disease and the most common cause of acute hospitalisation .…”

RESPIRE: breathing new life into bronchiectasis

“…What is, however, most difficult to address is the range of geographic and ethnic differences observed, a clear feature of RESPIRE 2. Asians, Europeans, Americans and indigenous populations all have different extents, aetiologies and severities of bronchiectasis, features that can no longer be ignored in view of the results from RESPIRE 2 [23][24][25][26]. Most publications to date have focused on large cohorts of bronchiectasis patients originating from Western Europe and the USA and, clearly more data is now required from Asia and Eastern Europe, a lesson well-taught by RESPIRE 2.…”

Iniquidades étnico-raciais nas hospitalizações por causas evitáveis em menores de cinco anos no Brasil, 2009-2014

“…A análise específica das internações por IRA e P&I decorre do fato de estudos demonstrarem a persistência destas causas de internação em crianças no Brasil e expressiva magnitude destas causas de internação em populações vulneráveis, em particular em indígenas no país e em outras regiões do mundo 12,16 .…”