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Abstract
<p xmlns:xsi="http://www.w3.org/2001/XMLSchema-instance" class="first" id="d1551230e103">This
review article focuses on common lower respiratory infections (LRIs) in indigenous
populations in both developed and developing countries, where data is available. Indigenous
populations across the world share some commonalities including poorer health and
socio-economic disadvantage compared with their non-indigenous counterparts. Generally,
acute and chronic respiratory infections are more frequent and more severe in both
indigenous children and adults, often resulting in substantial consequences including
higher rates of bronchiectasis and poorer outcomes for patients with chronic obstructive
pulmonary disease (COPD). Risk factors for the development of respiratory infections
require recognition and action. These risk factors include but are not limited to
socio-economic factors (e.g. education, household crowding and nutrition), environmental
factors (e.g. smoke exposure and poor access to health care) and biological factors.
Risk mitigation strategies should be delivered in a culturally appropriate manner
and targeted to educate both individuals and communities at risk. Improving the morbidity
and mortality of respiratory infections in indigenous people requires provision of
best practice care and awareness of the scope of the problem by healthcare practitioners,
governing bodies and policy makers.
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