American Indian Classification
According to the United States Department of Health and Human Services Office of Minority Health, the American Indian and Alaska Native population make up about 2 percent of the total United States population. This constitutes approximately 6.2 million people who meet the classification. Their demographic classification would be comprised of those who have origin from North, South and Central America with some sort of tribal affiliation. A tribe is defined as any aggregate of people united by ties of a common ancestor, community of customs and traditions.
The traditions of the American Indian and Alaska Native population are deep rooted in their culture. They have many customs that they abide by currently amongst their tribes. In regards …show more content…
to medicine, the American Native tribes revert to their medicine man, who is like a priest. The priest or Maya Shaman performs rituals of healing for those sickened with disease or injury. Because many native tribes still resort to medicine main rituals for health care purposes, this population within our country has high disease rate and are mainly uninsured. Their customary traditions make it hard for monitoring them for proper immunization and infectious disease.
Despite having a small percentage of the American Indians and Alaskan Natives living on reservations, less than 30 percent, it is probably safe to assume none have private health insurance. In an effort to improve overall health care, prevent the spread of disease and continue research on ways to treat disease, the government had to find a means to assist this uninsured population. The federal government provides free health care services to those tribes and the rest of their population living in modern society through a federally funded program Indian Health Services (IHS), United States Department of Health and Human Services. According to Indian Health Services, “the American Indian and Alaskan Native people have long experienced lower health status when compared with other Americans.” (Indian Health Service, 2011) Because of their beliefs that keep them from seeking modern medicine, their accessibility to it and their inconsistency in visiting physicians, it is hard to provide adequate health care and keep the spread of disease down within this population. Aside from their cultural differences and accessibility, the education regarding health care issues is very poor amongst the natives.
The health care views of the Native American Indian and Alaskan Native people are the major reason the majority are uninsured. These populations that live in rural areas and follow strict traditions aren’t seeking out health care. The tribal leaders don’t readily trust the American government because of the history in this country where they have felt pushed aside, forgotten and desecrated. In order for the government to assist in preventing the spread of disease, they had to pass laws to help form allegiance with tribal leaders. In 1975, the Indian Self-Determination and Education Assistance Act (ISDEAA). This act gives tribe roles in seeking out and making decisions about the health care provided by the program. Also the program established programs and provides education on health care issues faced by the population.
By educating the Indian and Alaskan Native population, they are equipped with a better understanding of how their isolated life style puts them at greater risk for specific disease.
According to the Office of Minority Health, 77 percent of American Indians and Alaska Natives ages 25 and over have at least a high school diploma in 2010 which is almost 30 percent less than that of non-Hispanic Whites. The lack of education obtained by this population is greatly attributed to their cultural beliefs of self sustainment and isolation of living on reservations. They aren’t aware of the benefits of healthy eating, vitamin supplements and diet and exercise. They aren’t educated on the side effects of alcohol abuse or substance abuse which is something very prevalent in their communities. They also don’t always seek out immunization because they don’t follow routine health care. The poverty they experience from isolation, low income and lack of education causes increase risk of disease. Living in such isolated areas doesn’t allow them to get the proper treatment for such …show more content…
diseases.
The American Indian and Alaskan Native population do not normally reside in metropolitan areas. In fact, they make up the lowest percentage of any racial group living in urban areas (Indian Health Service, 2011). Traditionally this population will live on reservations and self sustain by farming and reverting to traditional means of living. Their rural community living means that they cannot easily get to a hospital or clinic even if they wanted to. Their impoverished living subjects them to increased diabetes, infant death rate, heart disease, cancer and stroke. Aside from these diseases, they also suffer increased mental illness and suicide. Despite their limited means of access to hospitals and clinics, I’m not sure American Indians and Alaskan Natives would still willing seek out the proper care because of their traditional beliefs of healing themselves and not trusting in modern medicine.
It is difficult for the government to help prevent disease like tuberculosis within the populations that seek out care; it is far more difficult for Natives. They have a high rate of TB and hepatitis which makes wanting to get health care to their rural areas much more demanding in order to prevent mass outbreaks. According to the Department of Health and Human Services, they have a 5.8 rate of tuberculosis compared to 2 percent for the White population (Center for Disease Control, 2012). They also have a 30% higher rate of AIDS and HIV infection as compared to the white population (Indian Health Service, 2011). This is scary when you consider that they don’t seek our medical treatment and lack the proper education. HIV is something that requires medication and it’s no wonder many American Indians and Alaskan Natives die of AIDS. It would be great if education could reach them about the spread of this disease and how to take necessary precautions but this is also not always the case. Because they lack the proper insurance, they couldn’t afford the medication without government assistance anyhow. The US Department of Health and Human Services said that in 2010, American Indian and Alaska Native women were three times more likely to be diagnosed with HIV infections, as compared to the White female population (Center for Disease Control, 2012). The high rate of disease speaks volumes about the lack of proper health care they are receiving amongst the population.
Surprisingly American Indians and Alaskan Natives do get just as much immunizations amongst their adolescents as other populations. This is mainly because of government efforts to bring health care to them. Indian Health Services operates within their urban communities to make health care services accessible to urban American Indians and Alaskan Natives. These programs educate on disease, drug abuse and nutrition in addition to providing services for medical, mental and social issues. In regards to obtaining health insurance, an estimated 41 percent have private, 36.7 percent Medicaid and 29.2 percent have none based on a 2010 survey conducted by the US Census Bureau (Census Bureau). Because federally recognized tribes are the only ones who are provided health and educational assistance from Indian Health Services, those without health insurance is such a great number considering there are over many unrecognized tribes living in the United States (Indian Health Service, 2011).
Improvements are definitely warranted considering the higher rate of disease, lack of education and access to medical care and coverage.
Government initiatives like the Affordable Care Act of 2010 works to do specific research on diseases and provide patients with information to make better decisions. The significance of this is that maybe those who have health care with see the importance of treatment and education by improved quality of care and go back to those isolated reservations and educate others. The American Indian and Alaska Native Health Research Advisory Council (HRAC) deliver health services and funding to programs to maintain and improve the health of American Indians and Alaska Natives. They work with Indian tribes to support research to help improve the health care of American Indians and Alaska Natives (Indian Health Service, 2011). In a meeting they held in October of 2011 with nine tribal delegates, they determined that a focus should be put on screening and treatment of breast cancer in women (Indian Health Service, 2011). Continued efforts to help educate and work with tribal representatives will help towards quality improvement of care. The efforts of the HRAC, INS and the Affordable Care Act will all help bridge the gap between the disparity in percentages of increased risk and disease amongst this
population.
The major disease like cancer, diabetes, heart disease and stroke must be a focus for those that are providing care for this population of people. Health care laws are now saying everyone is entitled to health care coverage. Of course this doesn’t mean you have to use it which is my concern in regards to some of the American Indian and Alaskan Native population. The NCSL National Conference of State Legislative representatives realize that quality health care is hard to obtain for those in lower income brackets and specific minority groups. They are enacting bills to address the social disparities for the underserved population like the American Indians and Alaskan Natives. For instance, here in Georgia the HR 758 urged health care professionals to complete training in cultural competency at least every two years. However this bill failed to be adopted. Unlike in New Mexico where they adopted SM 33 that addresses institutional racism as it results to racial disparities within health, education, criminal justice, employment and housing. Another legislation that aims to help minorities is Pennsylvania’s recent adoption of bill SR 271 that designates April as Minority Health Month which was enacted on March 6, 2012 (National Conference of State Legislatures).
Works Cited
"CDC - American - Indian - Alaska - Native - Populations - Racial - Ethnic - Minorities - Minority Health." Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. N.p., n.d. Web. 7 Nov. 2012.
The traditions of the American Indian and Alaska Native population are deep rooted in their culture. They have many customs that they abide by currently amongst their tribes. In regards …show more content…
to medicine, the American Native tribes revert to their medicine man, who is like a priest. The priest or Maya Shaman performs rituals of healing for those sickened with disease or injury. Because many native tribes still resort to medicine main rituals for health care purposes, this population within our country has high disease rate and are mainly uninsured. Their customary traditions make it hard for monitoring them for proper immunization and infectious disease.
Despite having a small percentage of the American Indians and Alaskan Natives living on reservations, less than 30 percent, it is probably safe to assume none have private health insurance. In an effort to improve overall health care, prevent the spread of disease and continue research on ways to treat disease, the government had to find a means to assist this uninsured population. The federal government provides free health care services to those tribes and the rest of their population living in modern society through a federally funded program Indian Health Services (IHS), United States Department of Health and Human Services. According to Indian Health Services, “the American Indian and Alaskan Native people have long experienced lower health status when compared with other Americans.” (Indian Health Service, 2011) Because of their beliefs that keep them from seeking modern medicine, their accessibility to it and their inconsistency in visiting physicians, it is hard to provide adequate health care and keep the spread of disease down within this population. Aside from their cultural differences and accessibility, the education regarding health care issues is very poor amongst the natives.
The health care views of the Native American Indian and Alaskan Native people are the major reason the majority are uninsured. These populations that live in rural areas and follow strict traditions aren’t seeking out health care. The tribal leaders don’t readily trust the American government because of the history in this country where they have felt pushed aside, forgotten and desecrated. In order for the government to assist in preventing the spread of disease, they had to pass laws to help form allegiance with tribal leaders. In 1975, the Indian Self-Determination and Education Assistance Act (ISDEAA). This act gives tribe roles in seeking out and making decisions about the health care provided by the program. Also the program established programs and provides education on health care issues faced by the population.
By educating the Indian and Alaskan Native population, they are equipped with a better understanding of how their isolated life style puts them at greater risk for specific disease.
According to the Office of Minority Health, 77 percent of American Indians and Alaska Natives ages 25 and over have at least a high school diploma in 2010 which is almost 30 percent less than that of non-Hispanic Whites. The lack of education obtained by this population is greatly attributed to their cultural beliefs of self sustainment and isolation of living on reservations. They aren’t aware of the benefits of healthy eating, vitamin supplements and diet and exercise. They aren’t educated on the side effects of alcohol abuse or substance abuse which is something very prevalent in their communities. They also don’t always seek out immunization because they don’t follow routine health care. The poverty they experience from isolation, low income and lack of education causes increase risk of disease. Living in such isolated areas doesn’t allow them to get the proper treatment for such …show more content…
diseases.
The American Indian and Alaskan Native population do not normally reside in metropolitan areas. In fact, they make up the lowest percentage of any racial group living in urban areas (Indian Health Service, 2011). Traditionally this population will live on reservations and self sustain by farming and reverting to traditional means of living. Their rural community living means that they cannot easily get to a hospital or clinic even if they wanted to. Their impoverished living subjects them to increased diabetes, infant death rate, heart disease, cancer and stroke. Aside from these diseases, they also suffer increased mental illness and suicide. Despite their limited means of access to hospitals and clinics, I’m not sure American Indians and Alaskan Natives would still willing seek out the proper care because of their traditional beliefs of healing themselves and not trusting in modern medicine.
It is difficult for the government to help prevent disease like tuberculosis within the populations that seek out care; it is far more difficult for Natives. They have a high rate of TB and hepatitis which makes wanting to get health care to their rural areas much more demanding in order to prevent mass outbreaks. According to the Department of Health and Human Services, they have a 5.8 rate of tuberculosis compared to 2 percent for the White population (Center for Disease Control, 2012). They also have a 30% higher rate of AIDS and HIV infection as compared to the white population (Indian Health Service, 2011). This is scary when you consider that they don’t seek our medical treatment and lack the proper education. HIV is something that requires medication and it’s no wonder many American Indians and Alaskan Natives die of AIDS. It would be great if education could reach them about the spread of this disease and how to take necessary precautions but this is also not always the case. Because they lack the proper insurance, they couldn’t afford the medication without government assistance anyhow. The US Department of Health and Human Services said that in 2010, American Indian and Alaska Native women were three times more likely to be diagnosed with HIV infections, as compared to the White female population (Center for Disease Control, 2012). The high rate of disease speaks volumes about the lack of proper health care they are receiving amongst the population.
Surprisingly American Indians and Alaskan Natives do get just as much immunizations amongst their adolescents as other populations. This is mainly because of government efforts to bring health care to them. Indian Health Services operates within their urban communities to make health care services accessible to urban American Indians and Alaskan Natives. These programs educate on disease, drug abuse and nutrition in addition to providing services for medical, mental and social issues. In regards to obtaining health insurance, an estimated 41 percent have private, 36.7 percent Medicaid and 29.2 percent have none based on a 2010 survey conducted by the US Census Bureau (Census Bureau). Because federally recognized tribes are the only ones who are provided health and educational assistance from Indian Health Services, those without health insurance is such a great number considering there are over many unrecognized tribes living in the United States (Indian Health Service, 2011).
Improvements are definitely warranted considering the higher rate of disease, lack of education and access to medical care and coverage.
Government initiatives like the Affordable Care Act of 2010 works to do specific research on diseases and provide patients with information to make better decisions. The significance of this is that maybe those who have health care with see the importance of treatment and education by improved quality of care and go back to those isolated reservations and educate others. The American Indian and Alaska Native Health Research Advisory Council (HRAC) deliver health services and funding to programs to maintain and improve the health of American Indians and Alaska Natives. They work with Indian tribes to support research to help improve the health care of American Indians and Alaska Natives (Indian Health Service, 2011). In a meeting they held in October of 2011 with nine tribal delegates, they determined that a focus should be put on screening and treatment of breast cancer in women (Indian Health Service, 2011). Continued efforts to help educate and work with tribal representatives will help towards quality improvement of care. The efforts of the HRAC, INS and the Affordable Care Act will all help bridge the gap between the disparity in percentages of increased risk and disease amongst this
population.
The major disease like cancer, diabetes, heart disease and stroke must be a focus for those that are providing care for this population of people. Health care laws are now saying everyone is entitled to health care coverage. Of course this doesn’t mean you have to use it which is my concern in regards to some of the American Indian and Alaskan Native population. The NCSL National Conference of State Legislative representatives realize that quality health care is hard to obtain for those in lower income brackets and specific minority groups. They are enacting bills to address the social disparities for the underserved population like the American Indians and Alaskan Natives. For instance, here in Georgia the HR 758 urged health care professionals to complete training in cultural competency at least every two years. However this bill failed to be adopted. Unlike in New Mexico where they adopted SM 33 that addresses institutional racism as it results to racial disparities within health, education, criminal justice, employment and housing. Another legislation that aims to help minorities is Pennsylvania’s recent adoption of bill SR 271 that designates April as Minority Health Month which was enacted on March 6, 2012 (National Conference of State Legislatures).
Works Cited
"CDC - American - Indian - Alaska - Native - Populations - Racial - Ethnic - Minorities - Minority Health." Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. N.p., n.d. Web. 7 Nov. 2012.