NOVEMBER
2005 IS AMERICAN INDIAN/ALASKA NATIVE (AI/AN) HERITAGE MONTH |
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Respecting Tradition, Embracing a Healthy Future
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During National American Indian Heritage Month, we celebrate our
commitment to respect and preserve the rich Native American
traditions and cultures. 2 The
U.S. Department of Health and Human Services will join with
other Federal departments and agencies, local government
offices, national and local organizations, and interested
individuals to recognize American Indian and Alaska Native
(AI/AN) contributions to the development and history of the
United States. 3
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The Census Bureau estimates that 4.4 million people are AI/AN or
AI/AN in combination with one or more other races as of July 1,
2004, making up 1.5% of the total population. 4
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EXAMPLES OF IMPORTANT HEALTH DISPARITIES |
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A variety of health disparities affect
AI/AN communities:5 |
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In 2001, AI/ANs had the highest rate of
Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS) of all racial/ethnic groups
(124.2 per 1,000 live births), 2.2 times higher than the rate for
all populations (55.5 per 1,000).6 |
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After African Americans, AI/ANs had the
highest diabetes death rate in 2002 (43.2 per 100,000 population),
1.7 times higher than the rate for all populations (25.4 per
100,000).7 |
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In 2002, AI/ANs had the highest death rate
from Chronic Liver Disease and Cirrhosis (22.8 per 100,000), 2.4
times higher than the rate for all populations (9.4 per 100,000).8 |
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In 2002, AI/ANs were 1.5 times more likely
to die from unintentional injury (54.0 per 100,000) compared to all
races combined (36.9 per 100,000). They were 1.8 times more likely
to die from a motor vehicle injury (29.0 per 100,000) compared to
all populations combined (15.7 per 100,000).9 |
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In 2003, the rate of gonorrhea among AI/ANs
was 103.5 per 100,000, 3.2 times higher than the rate among whites
in 2003 of 32.7 cases per 100,000 population.10 |
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The estimated AIDS diagnosis rate among
American Indian and Alaska Native adults and adolescents was 10.4
per 100,000 persons, the 3rd highest rate after those for African
American adults and adolescents (75.2 per 100,000) and Hispanic
adults and adolescents (26.8 per 100,000). The estimated AIDS
diagnosis rate was 7.2 per 100,000 for white adults and adolescents
and 4.8 per 100,000 for Asian and Pacific Islander adults and
adolescents.11 |
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PROGRAMS AND ACCOMPLISHMENTS |
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To address these disparities, CDC and ATSDR work with tribal
governments, tribal organizations, urban Indian health centers, IHS,
and other partners to provide funding and technical assistance to
tribal governments and organizations. CDC and ATSDR also commit
professional staff to positions in Indian country and work with IHS
to strengthen AI/AN public health capacity. Additional information
is available on the
OMH AI/AN Population Page and from
ATSDR. 12 |
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FOR MORE INFORMATION |
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Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) |
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Office of Minority Health and Health Disparities (OMHD) |
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American Indian and Alaska Native (AI/AN) Populations |
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American Indian &
Alaska Native
National,
Regional &
Local Health Boards List |
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Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Repot (MMWR) |
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Tribal Epidemiology Centers |
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569 American Indian/Alaska Native Tribes |
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CDC Office on Smoking and Health |
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American Indians and Alaska Natives and Tobacco |
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ATSDR Office of Tribal Affairs |
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Indian Health Service (IHS) AI/AN Heritage Month Events |
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White House Presidential Proclamation |
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White House Executive Order 13270: Tribal Colleges and Universities |
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U.S. Census Bureau Facts on the AI/AN Population |
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Bureau of Indian Affairs |
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FirstGov for Tribal Governments and American Indians |
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Indian Health Service |
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Native American Resources on the Internet |
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National Council of Urban Indian Health |
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Social Security Online: American Indians and Alaska Natives |
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Healthfinder: American Indians and Alaska Natives |
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Medline Plus: Native American Health |
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Administration on Aging (AoA) |
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American
Indians, Alaska Natives, and Native Hawaiians |
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Rural Aging |
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Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) |
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American Diabetes Association: Native Americans |
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National Indian Council On Aging (NICOA) |
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National Indian Health Board (NIHB) |
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National Native American AIDS Prevention Center (NNAAPC) |
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