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Health Disparities Experienced by American Indians and
Alaska Natives
American Indians and Alaska Natives (AI/ANs) are a heterogeneous population with approximately 560 federally
recognized tribes residing in the rural and urban areas of 35 states. In 2000, a total of 2.5 million persons (0.9% of the
U.S. population) classified themselves as "AI/AN alone" and 4.1 million (1.5%) as
"AI/AN alone or in combination with another race." During 1990--2000, the AI/AN population increased 26%, compared with 13% for the total U.S. population. Of all racial/ethnic populations, AI/ANs have the highest poverty rates (26%)---a rate that is twice the
national rate. Coincident with these socioeconomic
burdens are persistent, and often increasing, health
disparities.
This issue of MMWR describes disparities in health for certain preventable health conditions (i.e., diabetes,
cancer, bronchiolitis, and injuries) among AI/ANs. The rates of injuries, diabetes, and bronchiolitis were two to three times as high among AI/ANs than among all racial/ethnic populations combined. Cancer death rates among AI/ANs were lower than
the overall U.S. rate, with large regional variations. Public health efforts are ongoing to address these disparities. These efforts reflect the importance of partnerships among tribal, state, and federal public health organizations. The high vaccination coverage among Alaska Native children reported in this issue demonstrates that effective public health interventions can make a difference. Similar successes are needed in other program areas.
MMWR will continue to highlight health
disparities among this and other racial/ethnic minority populations in the United States.
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