Includes bibliographical references (pages 150-185).

Part 1: A message from the director -- Part II: Chronic disease risk factors in Aboriginal peoples in Canada, a life course approach [Native peoples, First Nations] -- Introduction: taking a life course approach -- The life course approach perspective and Aboriginal health -- Applying the life course approach -- Community risk factors -- Socioeconomic risk factors -- Geographic risk factors -- Prenatal risk factors -- Maternal diabetes -- Maternal obesity -- Maternal smoking -- Maternal alcohol use -- Natal risk factors -- Abnormal birth weights -- Breastfeeding -- Early childhood risk factors -- Population influences -- Child poverty and hunger -- Early child learning and development -- Parental smoking and household smoke -- Childhood and adolescent risk factors -- Childhood obesity -- Smoking -- Sexual health -- Education -- Foster care and state wardship -- Adulthood and the elderly risk factors -- Smoking -- Alcohol abuse -- Obesity and inactivity -- Employment and education -- Elder health.

Part III: The burden of chronic disease in Aboriginal peoples of Canada -- The burden of diabetes in Aboriginal peoples -- Definition of diabetes and impaired glucose tolerance -- Burden of type 2 diabetes in Aboriginal people -- Understanding the numbers now and in the future -- Burden of cardiovascular disease in Aboriginal peoples -- Definition and description of cardiovascular disease -- Burden of cardiovascular disease in Aboriginal peoples -- The burden of chronic respiratory diseases in Aboriginal peoples -- Definition and description of chronic respiratory diseases -- General burden of chronic respiratory disease in Aboriginal peoples -- Tuberculosis -- Chronic otitis media -- Chronic/recurring respiratory tract infections -- Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and asthma -- The burden of musculoskeletal conditions in Aboriginal peoples -- Definition and description of musculoskeletal disease and disorders -- Burden of arthritis in Aboriginal peoples -- Osteoporosis.

The burden of cancer in Aboriginal peoples -- Definition and description of cancer -- Cancer surveillance in Aboriginal peoples -- Burden of cancer in Aboriginal peoples -- Burden of severe mental illness in Aboriginal peoples -- Definition and description of chronic mental illness -- Burden of severe mental illnesses in Aboriginal peoples -- Burden of severe mental illnesses on community health -- The impact of chronic diseases on mental health -- Defining the parameters of the association between chronic disease and mental health -- Unpacking the associations between chronic disease and mental health -- Common themes.

Also available on the Internet.