American Indian health disparities: psychosocial influences

Abstract

The American Indian (AI) population suffers from significant health disparities. Death rates from diabetes, cancer, infant mortality, and other causes are higher among AIs. Numerous psychosocial influences, including a history of genocide and boarding school experiences, have led to unresolved historical trauma and its associated poor health outcomes. Adverse childhood experiences are also a strong predictor of risk for numerous chronic and behavioral health conditions. Food programs for impoverished populations historically have led to high rates of formula feeding of infants and intake of high‐calorie, low nutritional value foods. Adverse adulthood experiences, including poverty, racism, and substance abuse, lead to depression, anxiety, and poor health outcomes. These social circumstances can have an impact on the quality of parenting skills for the next generation, leading to continued intergenerational health disparities. Additional research into the psychosocial influences and social determinants of health is needed to ensure improved policy and program development.

The Effects of Coronavirus Victimization Distress and Coronavirus Racial Bias on Mental Health Among AIAN, Asian, Black, and Latinx Young Adults

“…Prior research has shown an association between the pre-existing conditions now associated with increased Coronavirus risk. Since the incidence of these pre-existing conditions are disproportionately high among people of color, in particular obesity, diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and chronic illness(6)(7)(8)(9)(10)(11)(12)(13)(14)(115)(116)(117)(118)(119), it is not surprising that our study demonstrated an association between the number of Coronavirus health risks and mental health indices. Of note, is that 28% and 22% of our participants identified as sexual or gender minorities, respectively.…”

“…Intergenerational trauma created by American slavery, colonialism, Jim Crow laws, and segregation, has been shown to effect both physical and psychological health among Black people (62)(63)(64). Loss and violation of sacred lands and a history of segregation of American Indian boarding schools and food programs is a significant stressor for Indigenous persons (12,65). For Latinx people, studies have found significant association among documentation status (66,67), fear of deportation (68), acculturation stress (69)(70)(71), and mental health status.…”

“…These include lower levels of treatment satisfaction and trust, utilization rate, and service outcome resulting in delay and lack of adherence to treatment uptake (3)(4)(5). Compared with other racial/ethnic groups Black, Indigenous and Latinx persons in the US also have higher rates of CDC identified medical conditions associated with risk of severe illness from COVID-19, including obesity, diabetes, asthma, and HIV (6)(7)(8)(9)(10)(11)(12)(13)(14). In addition, Black, Indigenous, and Latinx adults are more likely to be employed as lower skilled workers, and during the current crises, as essential workers (15,16), which increases risk of COVID-19 exposure.…”

Traditional Indigenous medicine in North America: A scoping review

“…Overall, there has been a recent push with somewhat more acceptance in certain conventional medical settings towards supporting traditional Indigenous medicine interventions as demonstrated in some of the literature in this scoping review; however, the question remains whether or not “these efforts tend to represent political achievements more so than bona fide epistemological reconciliation” [ 72 ]. With continuing and significant health disparities existing in Indigenous populations in North America [ 102 ], a broader concerted effort needs to be mobilized and operationalized to ensure that Indigenous self-determined ways of knowing in relation to health and delivery of care is prioritized. Initial outcomes are promising in regard to traditional medicine’s benefit for Indigenous peoples in self-determined healthcare environments and settings.…”

Remembrance and Resilience: How the Bodyself Responds to Trauma

“…Donald Warne and Denise Lajimodiere explain that the trauma experienced by Native peoples at the hands of Europeans has left wounds that go to the spiritual soul of a people and to the lands on which they live (Warne and Lajimodiere , 572). The cartography of trauma maps the relationships between family, genetics, and the land.…”