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You are here: Home » Policy Issues » Health & Human Services » Health HealthTribal leaders have ranked health as one of their top concerns for Indian Country. In exchange for over 450 million acres of Native lands, American Indians received a commitment from the federal government to provide for the health, safety, and welfare of Indian people into the future. This federal trust responsibility to provide healthcare is carried out by the Secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services through Indian Health Service.
There is an enormous disparity that exists in both the overall health status and access to health care of AI/ANs. The impact of this disparity is felt throughout Indian Country. Native peoples experience higher disease rates and lower life expectancy than any other racial or ethnic group in the country. Indians experience exponentially higher rates of diabetes, mental disorders, cardiovascular disease, pneumonia, influenza and injuries. The infant mortality rate is 150% greater for Indians than that of White infants. Indians have the highest prevalence of Type-2 diabetes in the world, and are 2.6 times more likely to be diagnosed with diabetes. Indians have a life expectancy 5 years less than the rest of the U.S. population. There is an enormous disparity that exists in both the overall health and access to healthcare facilities. The prosperity of a community is directly tied to the overall physical and behavioral health of the people within the community.
NCAI works in collaboration with the National Indian Health Board, the National Council of Urban Indian Health and the regional health boards to improve the health of American Indians and Alaska Natives.
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