Observances ~ November
American Indian/Alaska Native Heritage Month
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AI/AN Heritage Month
From the Aleutian Islands to the Florida Everglades, American Indians and Alaska Natives have contributed immensely to our country's heritage. During National Native American Heritage Month, we commemorate their enduring achievements and reaffirm the vital role American Indians and Alaska Natives play in enriching the character of our Nation.1
Both the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) and the 2010 Census define "American Indian/Alaska Native" as People having origins in any of the original peoples of North and South America (including Central America), and who maintain tribal affiliation or community attachment.2
This category includes people who indicated their race(s) as “American Indian or Alaska Native” or reported their enrolled or principal tribe, such as Navajo, Blackfeet, Inupiat, Yup’ik, or Central American Indian groups or South American Indian groups.2
According to U.S. Census Bureau, as of the 2010 Census, there are roughly 5.2 million American Indians and Alaska Natives (AI/AN) living in the United States, representing approximately 1.7% of the U.S. total population.3
The projected U.S. AI/AN population for July 1, 2050, is estimated to reach 8.6 million, constituting approximately 2% of the U.S. population by that date.3
The proportion of Alaska's population identified as AI/AN as of the 2010 Census was 19.5%, the highest rate for this race group of any state. Alaska was followed by Oklahomo (12.9%), New Mexico (10.7%), and South Dakota (10.1%).3
As of April 1, 2010, the median age of the American Indian and Alaska Native (AI/AN) population was 29.0, younger than the median age of 37.2 for the populations as a whole. About 30% of AIANs were younger than 18, and 8% were 65 and older.3
States with the largest AI/AN populations as of the 2010 Census are California (723,225), Oklahoma (482,760), and Arizona (353,386).3
A variety of health disparities affect AI/AN communities:- In 2005, AI/ANs had the 2nd highest rate of Infant Deaths of all racial/ethnic groups (8.1 per 1,000), 1.18 times higher than the rate for all populations (6.9 per 1,000), and 1.65 times higher than the rate for Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders (4.9), the group with the lowest Infant death rate. 4
- After African Americans, AI/ANs had the highest Diabetes Death Rate in 2006 (39.6 per 100,000 population), 1.7 times higher than the rate for all populations (23.3 per 100,000), and 2.5 times higher than the rate for Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders (15.8). 5
- In 2006, AI/ANs had the highest death rate from Chronic Liver Disease and Cirrhosis (22.1 per 100,000), more than 2.5 times higher than the rate for all populations (8.8 per 100,000) more than 6.3 times higher than the rate for Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders (3.5). 5
- In 2006, AI/ANs were over 1.4 times more likely to die from Unintentional Injuries (56.7 per 100,000) compared to all races combined (39.8 per 100,000). AI/ANs were almosst 1.8 times more likely to die from a Motor Vehicle Injury (26.7 per 100,000) compared to all populations combined (15.0 per 100,000). 6
- In 2008, the rate of Gonorrhea among AI/ANs was 110.2 per 100,000 population, more than 5.5 times higher than the rate among Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders, the group with the lowest rate (20.0). 7
- The rate of Chlamydia in 2008 among AI/ANs was 808.8 per 100,000, more than 5.3 times higher than the rate among Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders, the group with the lowest rate (151.9). 8
- In 2005, the estimated rate of AIDS Diagnoses for 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 (71.3 per 100,000) and Hispanic adults and adolescents (27.8 per 100,000). The estimated AIDS diagnosis rate was 8.8 per 100,000 for white adults and adolescents and 7.4 per 100,000 for Asian and Pacific Islander adults and adolescents. 9
Heart Disease and Cancer are the Leading Causes of Death for American Indians and Alaska Natives (AI/AN).
In addition, a variety of health disparities affect AI/AN communities, including, disproportionately high prevalence for: Diabetes, Suicide, Teenage Pregnancy, Infant Death, Unintentional and Motor Vehicle Injuries, Chronic Liver Disease, and Cirrhosis.
CDC and ATSDR work with Tribal Governments, Tribal Organizations, Urban Indian Health Centers, IHS, and others to establish and increase collaborations to strengthen infrastructure and capacity. The CDC/ATSDR Tribal Consultation Policy provides agency guidance for working effectively with AI/AN Communities and Organizations, as well as enhancing AI/AN access to programs. The Tribal Advisory Committee (TAC) to the Director, meets to exchange information about public health issues in Indian Country, identify urgent public health needs in AI/AN communities and to discuss collaborative approaches to addressing these issues and needs.
CDC's Office for State, Tribal, Local and Territorial Support (OSTLTS), Program for Tribal Support, serves as the primary link between CDC, ATSDR, and Tribal governments.
OMHHE
CDC
- Office for State, Tribal, Local and Territorial Support (OSTLTS)
- Agency for Toxic Substances & Disease Registry (ATSDR)
- Diabetes Public Health Resource, Native Diabetes Wellness Program (NDWP)
- Injury, Prevention & Control: Motor Vehicle Safety, Native American Road Safety
- National Native HIV/AIDS Awareness Day ~ March 20th
- Health Disparities in HIV/AIDS, Viral Heapatitis, STDs, & TB: American Indians and Alaska Natives
- Health, United States, 2010 - American Indian or Alaska Native Population
- FastStats - Health of American Indian or Alaska Native Population
- Healthy People 2010 - Snapshot for the AI/AN Population
- Sociodemographic Maps - American Indians and Alaska Natives
- QuickStats Term Infant Mortality Rates, by Race/Ethnicity---US, 2007, MMWR Oct. 14, 2011/60(40);1396
US Department of Health & Human Services (HHS)
Office of Minority Health (OMH)
- National American Indian Heritage Month - November
- American Indian/Alaska Native Profile
- Minority Women's Health - Amercian Indians/Alaska Natives
Other Federal Government
- Indian Health Service (IHS)
- White House Presidential Proclamation
- White House Executive Order 13270 Tribal Colleges and Universities
- US Census Bureau Facts for Features: 2011
- US Dept of the Interior, Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA)
- USA.gov for Tribal Governments & Native Americans
- MedlinePlus: American Indian Health
- National Native AIDS Awareness Day ~ March 20
Other Resources
- The White House, National American Indian Heritage Month, 2011
- US Census Bureau, 2010 Census Briefs, Overview of Race and Hispanic Origin: 2010
- U.S. Census Bureau, Facts for Features: American Indian / Alaska Native Heritage Month: November 2011
- CDC, NCHS, Health, United States, 2010, table 15 (PDF)
- CDC, NCHS, Health, United States, 2010, table 24 (PDF)
- CDC, National Center for Injury Prevention and Control (NCIPC), Web-based Injury statistics Query and Reporting System (WISQARS), 2006
- CDC, National Center for HIV, STD, and TB Prevention (NCHSTP), STD Surveillance 2007; table 21b, Gonorrhea - Rates per 100,000 population by race/ethnicity, age group & sex: US, 2003-2007 2008 STD Surveillance, STDs in Racial & Ethnic Minorities, Observations
- CDC, NCHSTP, STD Surveillance 2007; table 11b, Chlamydia
- CDC, NCHSTP, HIV/AIDS Among American Indians and Alaska Natives, 2008
Brochures Available
Health Disparities Affecting MinoritiesCHDIR Report
CDC Health Disparities & Inequalities ReportContact Us:
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
1600 Clifton Rd
Atlanta, GA 30333 - 800-CDC-INFO
(800-232-4636)
TTY: (888) 232-6348 - cdcinfo@cdc.gov