Native American Health Resources

Collection of examples of health disparities related to infectious diseases.

This article introduces an innovative analytical strategy (i.e. a data mining technique), which is ideal for discovering frequently appearing health outcomes in a group. The finding reveals positive relationships between health outcomes and AI/AN density.

Improvements in disease prevention and treatment potentially offered by research and health education programs could help to reduce health disparities. However, a history of nonparticipation in the research process and a history of dishonest research practices have raised barriers to conducting research in AI communities. Additional barriers are generated from a shortage of AI researchers and health care professionals. A research paradigm that includes the community as a full partner is necessary to promote research and education in AI communities and to translate health research into reductions in health disparities.

Rural Native American adults report ongoing and widespread problems with health care, discrimination, the police, safety, and housing. These findings support many national policy recommendations to improve federal funding and oversight for programs serving Native American populations living in rural areas.