Thank you for that question.
As I stated in my earlier remarks, on the health disparities between Canadians and aboriginal people, there's a huge gap. The funding of $730 million over the five years in 2010 was invested in areas to support the prevention of diabetes and health promotion activities in over 600 first nations and Inuit communities. About $275 million was invested in that.
We've also invested funding of $170 million to maternal and child health; $50 million for aboriginal head start programs on reserves and in urban and northern communities; $75 million to support 200 community-based youth suicide prevention projects; $80 million to pursue the advancement of aboriginal people in health professions. In an announcement yesterday, announced initiatives under the student loan forgiveness will also support those individuals. And $80 million was also invested in the integration of federally funded health services in first nations and Inuit communities with partnerships with provinces and territories. How better to integrate those services, to provide better services and quality services to aboriginal people?
Basically, we recognize that we continue to have challenges in a number of areas, but with the significant investments we have made to improve the lives and the health outcomes of aboriginal people through these, we are seeing results, positive results, and we'll continue to work with the provinces and territories where the Inuit population are, as well as the first nations communities that we have direct responsibility for.
Thank you.