Skip to main content
Rural Health Information Hub

Rural Health
Resources by Topic: American Indian or Alaska Native

Indian Health Service: Agency Faces Ongoing Challenges Filling Provider Vacancies
Reports on the Indian Health Service's (IHS) progress in filling provider vacancies. Discusses the strategies used to attract providers and highlights their strengths and shortcomings. Compares vacancy rates by IHS area.
Additional links: Full Report
Date: 08/2018
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: Government Accountability Office
view details
Feasibility and Outcomes of an Out-of-School and Home-based Obesity Prevention Pilot Study for Rural Children on an American Indian Reservation
Evaluates the feasibility, and behavioral health and physical health outcomes resulting from the Generations Health intervention program to prevent obesity in children. This intervention program focuses on physical activity, nutrition, sleep and reduction of screen time, and engages parents and families in home-based activities supporting their child's health.
Author(s): Blakely Brown, Kari Jo Harris, Daniel Heil, Michael Tryon, Aric Cooksley, et al.
Citation: Pilot and Feasibility Studies, 4(129)
Date: 07/2018
Type: Document
view details
A Portrait of American Indian and Alaska Native Children and Families
Describes the population characteristics of American Indian and Alaska Native (AI/AN) children and their families, and estimates the need for early care, education attendance, and healthcare coverage. Features statistics on rates and types of health insurance coverage for young AI/AN children and for their parents.
Author(s): Meryl Yoches Barofsky, Nina Chien, Lizabeth Malone, Sara Bernstein, Kaitlyn Mumma
Date: 07/2018
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: Administration for Children and Families
view details
Long-term Outcomes of Lifestyle Intervention to Prevent Diabetes in American Indian and Alaska Native Communities: The Special Diabetes Program for Indians Diabetes Prevention Program
Highlights a study on long-term outcomes of diabetes prevention efforts in American Indian and Alaska Native communities. Details outcomes over a 10 year period and breaks down data by age, physical activity, and weight, among other factors.
Author(s): Luohua Jiang, Ann Johnson, Katherine Pratte, et al.
Citation: Diabetes Care, 41(7), 1462-1470
Date: 07/2018
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: American Diabetes Association
view details
Recommended CSTE Indicators for Suicide among American Indians and Alaska Natives
Discusses recommended indicators for measuring rates of suicide, and associated risk factors, among American Indian and Alaska Native populations. Presents suggestions for different national data sources, as well as state, local, and regional sources.
Date: 07/2018
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: Council of State and Territorial Epidemiologists
view details
Substance Use and Mental Health Issues among U.S.-Born American Indians or Alaska Natives Residing on and off Tribal Lands
Compares rates of behavioral health issues of American Indians and Alaska Natives who live on reservations with those who live off reservations. Measures rates of mental illness, mental illness service use, substance use, and substance use treatment.
Author(s): Eunice Park-Lee, Rachel N. Lipari, Jonaki Bose, et al.
Date: 07/2018
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration
view details
Child Poverty Heavily Concentrated in Rural Mississippi, Even More So Than Before the Great Recession
Explores child poverty in rural areas, especially in the South and Southwest in counties with high concentrations of Native Americans and along the Mississippi Delta. Includes statistics comparing rates in 2007 and 2016, with breakdowns by metro and nonmetro areas and by geographic area, and county-level maps showing high child poverty rates and persistent rural child poverty rates.
Author(s): Tracey Farrigan
Citation: Amber Waves
Date: 07/2018
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: USDA Economic Research Service
view details
Gallbladder Cancer: Review of a Rare Orphan Gastrointestinal Cancer with a Focus on Populations of New Mexico
Report exploring gallbladder cancer (GBC) epidemiology with a focus on Native American and rural populations in New Mexico, which is one of several locations in the world where gallbladder cancer has elevated incidence. Reviews existing research to apply GBC studies to population and health data for New Mexico. Discusses the geographic distribution of GBC cases and risk factors of the disease, including chronic inflammation, as well as pathogenesis, treatment, and prevention strategies.
Author(s): Jacklyn M. Nemunaitis, Ursa Brown-Glabeman, Heloisa Soares, et al.
Citation: BMC Cancer, 18, 665
Date: 06/2018
Type: Document
view details
Engaging Native American Caregivers in Youth-Focused Diabetes Prevention and Management
Results of a study to assess feasibility and acceptability of enrolling adult caregivers in the Together on Diabetes program, using data collected in 4 Native American reservations in the southwestern United States, from 2012-2015. Features statistics on 256 youth and 226 caregivers, including age, sex, and diabetes status.
Author(s): Rachel Chambers, Summer Rosenstock, Melissa Walls, et al.
Citation: Preventing Chronic Disease, 15
Date: 06/2018
Type: Document
view details
High Risk: Agencies Need to Continue Efforts to Address Management Weaknesses of Federal Programs Serving Indian Tribes
Reports on the management of federal programs that serve American Indian populations across the U.S. Highlights the operations of the Office of the Assistant Secretary-Indian Affairs (Indian Affairs), the Bureau of Indian Education (BIE), the Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA), and the Indian Health Service (IHS), and details the challenges facing each office, and the progress they have made in overcoming those challenges.
Additional links: Full Report
Date: 06/2018
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: Government Accountability Office
view details