Examples of Disparities

According to the 2000 U.S. Census, American Indians and Alaska Natives comprise 0.9% to 1.5% of the U.S. population and have the highest poverty rates of all Americans.

Chronic Diseases:

Heart disease and cancer are the leading causes of death among American Indians and Alaska Natives. The 2002 age-adjusted prevalence of diabetes was over twice that for all U.S. adults, and the American Indians and Alaska Native mortality rate from chronic liver disease was nearly three times higher.

 Establish state and community-based programs to reduce risks for chronic diseases by promoting tobacco cessation, exercise, and health diets.

Provide more opportunities for cancer screening, early detection, and prompt therapy. Increase early detection of diabetes and childhood obesity, and emphasize better control of diabetes to prevent major complications.

Expand culturally sensitive alcohol and substance abuse recover programs, and support programs to prevent substance abuse and tobacco use in AI/AN youth.  Improve enforcement of occupant-restraint laws for tribal communities.

Infant Mortality:

The American Indians and Alaska Native rate is 1.7 times higher than the non-Hispanic white rate.  The American Indians and Alaska Native sudden death syndrome (SIDS) rate is HIGHEST OF ANY population group, more than double that of whites in 1999.

Educate communities and providers about the behaviors and conditions that affect birth outcomes, such as smoking, substance abuse, and poor nutrition, and expand SIDS awareness campaigns. Increase access to prenatal care for AI/AN mothers.

Sexually Transmitted Diseases (STDs):

In 2001, the syphilis rate among American Indians and Alaska Natives was 6 times higher than among the non-Hispanic white population, the Chlamydia rate was 5.5 times higher, the gonorrhea rate was 4 times higher and the AIDS rate was 1.5 times higher.

Build regional capacity for STD/HIV prevention by strengthening the linkages between providers serving AI/AN communities and tribal, county, and state public health agencies.

Promote better community access and awareness by expanding outreach programs for remote AI/AN communities and urban AI/ANs.

Injuries:

In 2001,American Indians and Alaska Native death rates for unintentional injuries and motor vehicle crashes were 1.7 to 2.0 times higher than the rates for all racial/ethnic populations, while suicide rates for American Indians and Alaska Native youth were 3 times greater than rates for whites of similar age.

For more information go to:

Surveillance for Health Behaviors of American Indians and Alaska Natives. (Courtesy of the CDC)

Disparities in Infant Health Among American Indians and Alaska Natives in US Metropolitan Areas

228 S. Muskogee Avenue   Tahlequah, OK 74464
Telephone: 918-456-6094   Fax: 918-456-8128   Email: peiron@niwhrc.org