Health Disparities

Native Americans have a greater chance of experiencing a variety of health issues that tend to compound one another and are further compounded by other issues such as poverty. For example, in the US, Native Americans have two* to three** times the rate of Diabetes 2 than the white population. Some believe this may relate to poorer Native Americans consuming a higher amount of less healthy food e.g., from fast food restaurants.

Poverty further compounds health issues in that Native Americans often cannot get appropriate health care simply because they cannot find transportation to the doctors office.  Also, substandard housing conditions, all that many Native Americans can afford to rent, have rodents, plumbing issues, exposed wiring - problems that can spread disease or are immediate health hazards themselves.

In addition, Native Americans have a higher rate of drug and alcohol addiction which results in much higher incidents of death due to causes such as cirrhosis, accidents (unintended injury), suicide and homicide.  Indeed, the average life expectancy of Native Americans in Minnesota is 44 years, compared to approximately 75 years for the white population.  The much lower expectancy for Native American’s is due to significantly higher numbers of deaths due to violence and accidents - often direct results of drug and alcohol abuse.

* CDC, ** MN Dept. Health “Populations of Color in Minnesota: Health Status Report Fall 2003″

Health of General Population

Infant Mortality: MN Native Pop. Avg 15.1%, MN White Pop. Avg: 5.1%,

Life Expectancy: MN Native Pop. 44 years, MN White Pop. Avg: 75 years

Causes of Death in Minnesota: Native Americans Contrasted with Whites (Per 100,000 Population)