Dr. Perry Kendall, B.C.'s provincial health officer, had both good news and bad in his report on aboriginal health. (CBC)

While some improvements have been made in the health of aboriginal people, there is still much work to be done, according to a report released Thursday by the provincial health officer.

Dr. Perry Kendall’s report, a follow-up of the 2001 report "Pathways to Healing,” said of 57 indicators, 18 showed improvement, including unemployment, youth in the justice system and alcohol/drug related deaths.

However, ten indicators showed a worsening situation, including aboriginal children in care, housing and the use of prescription drugs.

One of the most troubling trends, Kendall found, is the increase in the HIV transmission rate in aboriginal communities: While aboriginal people make up only five per cent of B.C.'s population, they comprise up to 17 per cent of all new positive HIV tests annually.

"In spite of living in a province that has some of the best HIV care available, it is noteworthy that aboriginal people with HIV are not being reached by this care," Kendall said.

Dr. Julio Montaner, clinical director for the B.C. Centre for Excellence in HIV/AIDS, said the province must reach out to aboriginal communities when it comes to the potentially fatal virus.

"The trend is going in the wrong direction and is something we cannot tolerate or accept," Montaner said, especially since the services and treatments to prevent the infection are available and effective.

"[Treatments are] giving people with HIV and AIDS a chance for a near normal life, and this is not being realized among the First Nations community simply because of a lack of access," Montaner said.

The report calls for the creation of an aboriginal mental health and wellness plan.