New website promotes better sexual health for aboriginal women

Statistics show Inuit, First Nations and Métis women face a disproportionately high rate of sexually transmitted infections, complications in pregnancy and delivery, as well as sexual violence.

To improve this situation, the Society of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists of Canada launched a new website on Aboriginal sexual health June 21 at the International Indigenous Women’s Health Symposium in Vancouver.

The site includes a section for health-care professionals and another section for aboriginal women and youth that features a variety of public health materials, such as YouTube videos.

“We know that aboriginal women are more likely to experience high-risk pregnancies and complicated or pre-term deliveries. We know that the risk of maternal mortality and infant mortality is about twice as high in Aboriginal communities compared to the general population. We believe that if we work together, with our partners, with government and with communities, that we can support change and advance aboriginal women’s health,” said Dr. Darrien Rattray, a member of the Aboriginal Health Initiative Committee, who worked on the project.