Chronic and disabling conditions among American Indian and Alaskan Native children and youth.

Abstract

Seven years ago a child was born on the Northern Plains. Morning Star was a girl diagnosed with Fetal Alcohol Syndrome (FAS). She had one foot missing and also part of one hand. Soon the baby was given up for adoption and was adopted by a family that loves her and believes that Morning Star is a perfect child.

What do providers need to know about American Indian culture? Recommendations from urban Indian family caregivers.

“…Chronic conditions are a major health issue for American Indian children. Higher rates of congenital anomalies, infant mortality, and shortened life expectancy have been reported in the American Indian population (Brenneman, 1997). Fetal alcohol syndrome, bacterial meningitis, and otitis media cause higher rates of disabilities among Indian children and youth, including seizure disorders, quadriplegia, developmental delay, language and speech delay, mental retardation, and vision and hearing problems (Hodge, 1989).…”

Meeting the needs of Native American families and their children with chronic health conditions.

“…She looks at some of the specific issues and problems experienced by Native families when they interact with the healthcare system and the educational system, which are organized around Western mainstream beliefs and values. Brenneman (1997) reviews available evi-Fam. Syst.…”

“…Brenneman (1997) reviews available evi dence related to the incidence and prevalence of chronic health conditions among Native Americans and Alaska Natives, calling attention to the limitations in providing these estimates. While generally it has been difficult to estimate the prevalence of chronic conditions among children and youth in the U.S., it is complicated even more for Native Americans because of the two distinct systems involved—the federal, state, and county systems, as well as the Indian Health Service and the Native American tribal system.…”

Urban American Indian family caregivers' perceptions of barriers to management of childhood asthma

“…Considering the increasing prevalence of asthma and the number of AI/AN families living in urban areas, the findings of Stout et al (1999) are not likely to represent current asthma prevalence rates in the AI/AN population. On the basis of IHS data documenting an increase in asthma-related ambulatory care visits and hospitalizations, Brenneman (1997) asserts that asthma is "an important emerging chronic health problem among Indian children" (p. 269). Liu et al (2000) compared rates of hospitalization for asthma and bronchiolitis in AI/AN children and all children in the state of Washington, using data for 1987 through 1996.…”