Health Status of Our Communities

In June, 2009 the Urban Indian Health Institute (UIHI) conducted a study examining the health of American Indians and Alaska Natives (AI/AN) living in select urban counties.  These counties are served by the network of Title V Urban Indian health organizations across the country.The following information was extracted from the UIHI report titled, Community Health Profile 2009; Urban Indian Health Organizations Aggregate Data.  It provides an overview of the health status of the AI/AN population living in the network of Urban Indian Health Organizations. The health indicators covered provide data across two comparison groups: AI/AN and the general population (all race).  To download a full copy of the report, click here (pdf, large file) or visit the Urban Indian Health Institute page by clicking here.

See all  Urban Indian Health-related documents in the KRC by clicking here

The UIHI study shows that self-reported health status captures symptoms of disease in addition to diagnosed illness. Its use broadens the scope of information gathered to include perceptions of health, treatment adherence, and resources available within the environment. For the Behavioral Risk Factors Surveillance System (BRFSS), respondents are asked to rate their own health using one of the following options: Excellent, Very Good, Good, Fair or PoorIn the UIHO service area, 27% of the AI/AN population rated their own health as fair or poor - greater than the general population at 16.1%. More

The Urban Indian Health Institute  reports that, similar to the general population, heart disease and cancer are the two most common causes of death among AI/AN residents in the UIHO service area. Unintentional injury ranks third in all cause mortality among AI/AN. Deaths due to unintentional injury pose a greathealth risk for the AI/AN population, and because of racial misclassification, the magnitude of the disparity could be an underestimate. In order to address this disparity, health workers must better understand the risk factors, and design culturally appropriate interventions to prevent these injuries. Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer deaths among AI/AN living in the UIHO service area. Many factors contribute to the risk of developing lung cancer including: smoking and being around others who smoke, exposure to radon gas or asbestos, and a family history of lung cancer. More...

According to the UIHI Study, AI/AN residents' chronic liver disease and cirrhosis mortality rate is 20.0/100,000. higher than the general population (9.4/100,000) Among AI/AN residents, the alcohol-induced mortality rate is 14.7/100,000, higher than the general population (5.7/100,000) Among AI/AN residents, the diabetes mortality rate is 26.8/100,000, higher than the general population (22.5/100,000). More...