Arctic populations are dependent on harvesting natural resources, yet are among the most exposed to industrial contaminants. American Indians in the United States and the 750,000 registered native people in Canada have higher rates of many diseases than the general populations. Native peoples of Alaska are subject to poor housing, poor sewage disposal and lack of safe drinking water. They also smoke and drink too much, the report said. In Latin America, many indigenous people struggle against encroachment on their land and violence often results.
Environmental degradation threatens indigenous people in the Pacific.
The report cites hazardous waste dumping, nuclear testing, chemical burn-off, mining, logging and pressure on space from tourist development. Maoris in New Zealand and Aborigines in Australia have far more psychiatric problems, more accidents and more disease than the general populations of those countries. The health situation of millions of tribal people in India is abysmal, the report said. UN Wire is a free service sponsored by the United Nations Foundation and its sister organization, the Better World Fund, which are dedicated to supporting United Nations efforts on behalf of the environment, population stabilization and children's health. UN Wire is produced independently by National Journal Group.