Native American's With Alcoholism And Diabetes
The health situation with regard to Native Americans is shown in numerous studies to be seriously below the standard and average of other groups in the country. This fact is underscored and emphasized in research studies such as Richardson's, The Need to Empower Indian Tribes, in which he states that,
As the nation reviews its health needs, it can look to American Indians as the ethnic group in the poorest health, with the highest rates of diabetes and tuberculosis. Recently, the Indian Health Service reported that tuberculosis rates among Native Americans exceeded all other ethnic classifications by 400%. Indians die younger than other groups, from a variety of illnesses. A 1992 report from the University of Minnesota noted that the suicide rate of Indian teens is four times greater than any other ethnic group. The accidental death rate of American Indians is 295% greater than that for the rest of the U.S. population.
(Richardson, 1994. p. 54)
The above quotation paints a general picture of the health and welfare situation of Native Americans, which is reiterated from differing perspectives in numerous other studies. One aspect that is clearly referred to in these studies is that the different health and welfare issues that affect native Americas are complex and related to other social, historical and political elements. These issues have a direct impact on the high rate of diabetes, alcohol abuse and alcoholism among Native Americans. In this regard many studies attest to the historical and cultural antecedents of these health problems.
Centuries ago, explorers introduced disease and ecological changes that took a heavy toll on the native population. Today even as tribal councils are gaining strength and taking over more government functions, poor nutrition, unsafe water supplies, inadequate waste disposal facilities, and the twin plagues of alcohol and drug addiction damage the health of many people of the Indian nations.
(Guiden & Johnson, 2000, p. 36)
Commentators and researcher point out that there is a strong correlation between health and disease issues among Native Americans and social aspects such as poverty and the access to health services. Another aspect that is mentioned is the ' cultural dislocation' of native Americans, as well as the fact that "High rates of unemployment, discrimination and cultural differences all contribute to unhealthy lifestyles and disparities in access to health care for many Indian people" (ELIMINATING HEALTH DISPARITIES IN THE AMERICAN INDIAN AND ALASKA NATIVE COMMUNITY. 2003)
These aspects are also borne out by current statistics. Among these figures are the following:
American Indians and Alaska Natives die at higher rates than other Americans from alcoholism (770%), tuberculosis (750%), diabetes (420%), accidents (280%), homicide (210%) and suicide (190%).
American Indians and Alaska Natives born today have a life expectancy that is almost 6 years less than the U.S. population (70.6 years to 76.5 years).
Infants in American Indian and Alaska Native communities die at a rate of 8 per every 1,000 live births, as compared to 7.2 per 1,000 for the U.S. population
(ibid)
Native American Indians also suffer from a poor health care in many communities. This is exacerbated by the fact that, while this group is most at risk for various diseases such as diabetes, they are also among the poorest in the country who cannot afford health insurance. Furthermore, they are often denied health care " ... simply because the appropriate medical services are out of geographic reach." (Rolo, 1999, p. 44)
This paper will attempt to provide an overview of the health situation with regard to diabetes and alcoholism and will also reflect on the concomitant and linked effects and problems associated with these central health issues. Remedies and proposed solutions to the problems that are encountered by Native Americans will also be explored.
2. Alcohol abuse
Statistics with regard to rates of alcoholism and alcohol related deaths are worryingly high for Native Americans. " ... age-adjusted alcoholism death rates for Indians are 440% higher than that for the general population."
Guiden & Johnson, 2000, p. 36) Another statistics is that "Rates of substance dependence and abuse among persons age 12 and older is highest among American Indians and Alaska Natives (14.1%). Rates of illicit drug use (10.1%), alcohol (44.7%) and binge alcohol use (27.9%) are among the highest in the nation. (ELIMINATING HEALTH DISPARITIES ... 2003)
This serious problem has it roots in social, historical and environmental factors. This aspect is borne out by the plethora of studies and research surveys on the subject. Data provided by the National Household Survey on Drug Abuse shows that while 50% of all adolescents in...
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As to the availability of safe and clean water supplies, and safe waste disposal facilities, Native Peoples are again on the short end of the stick. About twelve percent of Native People do not have adequate supplies of fresh drinking water and dependable waste facilities while only one percent of the general American population do not have those needed facilities (Indian Health Services). The U.S. Commission on Civil rights reports that
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