Paper

Discusses the findings of a five-year study, under the auspices of the population health program of the Canadian Institute for Advanced Research that probed the links between social hierarchy, the macroenvironmental factors in illness patterns, the quality of the microenvironment and other determinants of health. Provides an understanding of the underlying public health issues for the next several decades.

Explores the controversy surrounding the Dalkon Shield, an intrauterine device used by four million women worldwide between 1970 and 1974.

Synthesizes the ideas and outputs of the National Conference on Health Info-Structure held February 8-10, 1998.

Discusses the process of review, consultation and renewal of the Health Protection Branch and its activities. Provides an overview of health protection as it is today, the challenges to be faced, and the future of health protection.

Provides a framework for addressing women's substance use focusing on women-centered care and a continuum of alcohol and drug related services. Includes recommendations.

Using the data from a number of the surveys conducted over the last 10 years by Sante Quebec, this study examines the health characteristics of two populations of Aboriginal women of northern Quebec compared to those of women in the rest of the province. The northern populations had a larger proportion of young women. Aboriginal women have heavier family responsibilities than other Quebec women. Inuit women had a much higher prevalence of smoking and drug use. Alcohol consumption was less frequent in northern women, but the quantity consumed was higher compared to other Quebec women. Cree women tended to be more obese, had higher levels of blood glucose and lower levels of cholesterol. Inuit women tended to have lower rates of hypertension and higher rates of declared hearing problems and mental disorders. The similarities and differences observed among these three populations of women can assist decision-makers in setting priorities with regards to maintaining and improving their health.