Needing indigenous biometrics for health in Canada

Emma J Rice; Angela Mashford-Pringle; Tammy MacLean; Darci Belmore

doi:10.1016/j.pmedr.2023.102115

Needing indigenous biometrics for health in Canada

Prev Med Rep. 2023 Jan 18:31:102115. doi: 10.1016/j.pmedr.2023.102115. eCollection 2023 Feb.

Authors

Emma J Rice^{1

2}, Angela Mashford-Pringle^{1

2}, Tammy MacLean¹, Darci Belmore^{1

3}

Affiliations

¹ Waakebiness-Bryce Institute for Indigenous Health, 155 College Street, Toronto, ON M5T 3M7, Canada.
² Dalla Lana School of Public Health, University of Toronto, 155 College Street Room 500, Toronto, ON M5T 3M7, Canada.
³ Department of Anthropology, University of Toronto, 19 Ursula Franklin St, Toronto, ON M5S 2S2, Canada.

Abstract

This article presents a critical analysis of the use of biometrics in clinical practice and their inadequacies for Indigenous populations in Canada and globally. Misclassifications of health status based on biometrics have health implications across the lifespan, from gestation to older adulthood, which are also examined. The social determinants of health and of Indigenous health compound the impact of inaccurate biometrics on First Nations, Inuit and Métis populations. Moving forward, biometric use should be done in partnership with Indigenous peoples and with consideration of the surrounding context. Future research should consider bridging existing gaps in knowledge on this topic in culturally safe ways, to improve the quality and depth of information available and inform more equitable health care for Indigenous populations.

Keywords: BMI; Biometrics; Birthweight; Body mass index; Indigenous health.