Scurvy Cases Surge in Northern Saskatchewan, Highlighting Food Insecurity Challenges
In an alarming health discovery, researchers in La Ronge, northern Saskatchewan, have diagnosed 27 cases of scurvy—a disease caused by vitamin C deficiency—raising significant concerns about food security in remote communities. The findings stem from an investigation by the Lac La Ronge Indian Band in collaboration with Dr. Jeff Irvine and the Northern Inter-Tribal Health Authority.
Out of 51 blood samples tested between 2023 and 2024, 27 showed critically low or undetectable vitamin C levels. Confirmed patients, aged 20 to 80, predominantly Indigenous, exhibited symptoms ranging from fatigue and joint pain to severe issues like bleeding gums and slow-healing wounds. Scurvy, often thought of as a historical disease, remains a health threat in areas where fresh fruits and vegetables are scarce or unaffordable.
Dr. Irvine remarked that this discovery is “just the tip of an iceberg,” indicating broader health and social challenges. A 2022 Saskatchewan Health Authority report found that food costs in the province’s north far exceed those in the south, with a weekly nutritious food basket costing an average family $358.79 compared to $279.89 in southern regions.
Experts like Dr. Rachel Engler-Stringer from the University of Saskatchewan highlight that income inequality and rising living costs force many to prioritize cheaper, processed foods over nutritious options, worsening health outcomes. Traditional northern foods like rosehip tea and organ meats can help mitigate scurvy but are not always accessible.
The situation underscores the urgent need for targeted policies to improve food affordability and access in remote areas. While scurvy is treatable with vitamin C-rich foods or supplements, addressing the root causes—poverty and food insecurity—remains critical.
This revelation serves as a wake-up call for governments and communities to ensure equitable food distribution and reduce the growing health disparities in rural Canada.