Comprehensive Analysis: Health Issues in Native American Communities

This report provides a comprehensive overview of the health issues affecting Native American communities in the United States. It examines the geographical distribution, cultural values, and socioeconomic status of Native Americans, highlighting significant disparities in wealth, education, and employment. The report delves into the social determinants of health, including community infrastructure, education, income, and access to healthcare, while also addressing the barriers and challenges faced by Native Americans in accessing healthcare services, such as language, transportation, racism, and lack of trust in the healthcare system. A significant portion of the report focuses on mental health issues, including the high rates of mental illness and suicide among Native Americans, along with the barriers to accessing mental health services. The report also discusses mental health promotion strategies and the role of organizations like SAMHSA in providing resources and support. The conclusion emphasizes the complex interplay of cultural, economic, and social factors that contribute to the health challenges faced by Native Americans and highlights the importance of culturally safe healthcare and community welfare organizations in addressing these issues.

HEALTH ISSUES OF TRIBAL COMMUNITIES
“THE NATIVE AMERICANS”

Native Americans
• The Native American, also known as American Indians or Indigenous people are the indigenous inhabitants of the
United States
• According to the US Census Bureau, there are almost 4.6 million Native Americans residing in America today
• They are mostly found in the states of Alaska, South Dakota and Oklahoma
• The most famous and popular native Indian tribes are the Navajo tribe and the Cherokee tribe

Interesting facts about the Native Americans

Geographical distribution
• Arctic
• Sub-arctic
• Californian
• The Great Basin
• The Northeast
• The Southeast
• The Plains
• The Plateau
• The Southwest

Ethical beliefs
• They had strong connection with the
Mother Nature
• They had respect for everyone, specially
the elder people
• They believed that land is not their own
property, but a resource to be shared with
all

Cultural values
Their culture is based on spiritual belief system. The
components of the cultural values of the Native
Americans are:
• Respect
• Non-interference
• Humility
• Honoring elders
• Gratitude and Generosity
• Equality
• Cooperation

Financial Status
• The Native Americans is a relatively low-wealthy
population
• According to the reports shared in 2002, the median
wealth of the Native Americans was only 8.7% of the
median wealth of all Americans
• Almost 78% of this population live outside reservations
• The unemployment rate among the Native Americans
was also found to be very high around 40%. However, in
2016, this rate was reduced to 12%
• The poverty rate among these population is also
significantly high. According to the statistics shared by
the U.S. Central Bureau, revealed that almost 27% of
the Native Americans live in poverty

Educational
status
• Educational discrepancies was found among most of the Native Americans
• Very few individual possessed a high school diploma or a bachelor’s degree
• Special boarding schools were arranged for them to gain knowledge and basic
education
• According to the recent statistics, the Native American students had the highest drop-
out rates among other classes.
• They also said that they used to feel isolated in the classroom, and felt invisible. No
one communicated or cooperated with them very much.
• The Native American faced both physical and mental abuse along with neglect from
the teachers

Social determinants of Health
• Community Infrastructure
• Education
• Income
• Food
• Environment
• Transportation

Barriers and challenges to healthcare
• Language
• Transportation
• Racism
• Discrimination
• Structural and policy barriers
• Embarrassment
• Lack of trust on health system

Funding
resources
• The U.S. government recognized around 600 Indian tribes
living in the 48 states and Alaska
• These Federally recognized tribes are eligible for funding and
can access services from the Bureau of Indian Affairs, wither
directly through or indirectly through grants or contracts
• The Administration for Native Americans (ANA) provides them
with financial assistance and capacity building, data collection,
and advocacy for improved policies across the federal
government

Funding
resources
• Native American Resource Funding is an organization
involved with providing funds for the Native Americans
• They also helps in preserving the existence of the tribal
cultures and values
• Promote the human rights of the Native people
• They also help the native people in safeguarding their land
rights, water right, hunting and fishing rights as well as
environmental rights.