Exploring health and wellness among Native American adults with intellectual and/or developmental disabilities and their family caregivers

Abstract

Background Adults with intellectual and/or developmental disabilities (IDD) experience health inequities, and those who also identify as a member of an ethnic minority group face additional health inequities. In the United States, a majority of adults with IDD continue to be supported by family caregivers making their health equity also important. The purpose of this study was to explore how Native American adults with IDD and their family caregivers experience health and wellness. Method This community‐engaged research was guided by a Community Advisory Board (CAB) with study participants completing a Photovoice project. Results Participants identified individual, family and community level influences on health and wellness including the importance of participation in meaningful activities and connection to culture. Conclusions In order to address health inequities, more research is needed to understand health and wellness from the unique perspectives of individuals with IDD and those from racial and ethnic minority groups.

Wellbeing of Indigenous Peoples in Canada, Aotearoa (New Zealand) and the United States: A Systematic Review

“…Of the included studies, 41 [ 79 , 80 , 81 , 82 , 83 , 84 , 85 , 86 , 87 , 88 , 89 , 90 , 91 , 92 , 93 , 94 , 95 , 96 , 97 , 98 , 99 , 100 , 101 , 102 , 103 , 104 , 105 , 106 , 107 , 108 , 109 , 110 , 111 , 112 , 113 , 114 , 115 , 116 , 117 , 118 , 119 ] papers related to the wellbeing of Indigenous peoples in the United States. The United States comprises of different Indigenous groups (American Indians, Alaska Natives and Native Hawaiians) [ 2 , 120 ], with unique cultures and languages.…”

“…The importance of culture to the wellbeing of the Indigenous peoples in the United States was reported by 30 papers [ 79 , 80 , 81 , 83 , 85 , 86 , 88 , 90 , 91 , 92 , 93 , 94 , 95 , 96 , 97 , 98 , 99 , 101 , 103 , 105 , 106 , 107 , 111 , 113 , 114 , 115 , 116 , 117 , 118 , 119 ]. Culture confers Indigenous peoples in the United States a sense of identity [ 94 ], pride [ 94 , 114 ] and strength [ 88 ].…”

“…Passing down cultural knowledge through storytelling, mostly by Elders, was reported by 19 papers as important to cultural preservation and wellbeing [ 79 , 80 , 81 , 83 , 86 , 88 , 91 , 95 , 97 , 99 , 101 , 105 , 106 , 107 , 111 , 113 , 114 , 116 , 118 ].…”

“…Physical activity was reported as important to the wellbeing of Indigenous peoples in the United States in the context of culture (including Tribe/community) by seven papers [ 79 , 80 , 94 , 96 , 106 , 118 , 119 ]. Conversely, the desire to be more physically active was proposed through cultural activities to increase cultural engagement.…”

“…Spirituality and Cultural Medicine were reported as important to the wellbeing of Indigenous peoples in the United States by 28 papers [ 80 , 81 , 82 , 85 , 86 , 87 , 89 , 90 , 91 , 92 , 93 , 94 , 95 , 97 , 99 , 100 , 101 , 104 , 106 , 107 , 108 , 110 , 111 , 112 , 113 , 117 , 118 , 119 ]. Spirituality is interwoven throughout life [ 95 , 104 , 106 , 111 , 112 ], forming identity [ 95 , 112 ], providing guidance [ 100 , 106 , 112 , 117 ], and for coping with stressors that impact wellbeing [ 81 , 90 , 92 , 104 , 106 , 117 ].…”