During the 5 year period 2002-2006, the First Nations tuberculosis rate (on and off reserve) was 29 times higher than among the non-aboriginal population born in Canada. For the Inuit, it was 90 times higher. Pacific Islanders and Maoris are at least 10 times more likely to contract tuberculosis (TB) than other people living in New Zealand. The Indigenous people of Kalaallit Nunaat (Greenland) are 45 times more likely to get active tuberculosis than Danish-born residents.

Across the globe Indigenous peoples are at exceptionally high risk of becoming ill with tuberculosis and dying from the disease. Today, for the first time, public health experts and Indigenous leaders from 60 countries began to carve out a plan to reduce the incidence of tuberculosis among Indigenous peoples by 2015, at a meeting co-hosted by the Assembly of First Nations and the Inuit Tapiriit Kanatami.