Surveillance for health behaviors of American Indians and Alaska Natives-Findings from the behavioral risk factor surveillance system, 2000-2006

Breast cancer incidence among American Indian and Alaska Native women: US, 1999-2004

“…10 Analyses from the 2000 through 2006 Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System indicated wide regional variations in other breast cancer risk factors. 34 For example, among AI/AN women, prevalence estimates for obesity ranged from 25% in the East to 34% in Alaska; no leisuretime physical activity ranged from 28% in the Southwest to between 35% and 38% in Alaska and the East; and binge drinking ranged from 14% in Alaska to about 7% in the East, Southwest, and Pacific Coast. Only Alaska reported AI/AN mammography prevalence estimates equivalent to those for NHW women; nationally and in other regions, mammography screening during the previous 2 years was lower among AI/AN women than among NHW females (69% vs 76%, respectively, among women aged 40 years).…”

“…According to data from the Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System, AI/AN respondents are more likely than NHW respondents to have lower incomes, less education, higher unemployment, no health insurance, and no personal physician. 34 These and other factors inhibit access to care, such as not having health insurance (ie, currently, approximately 30% of AI/ANs lack health insurance), 35 membership in tribes that are not recognized by the federal government, urban residence (ie, approximately 70% of AI/ANs live in urban areas), 36,37 and long distances to travel to receive care. 38,39 More specifically, although the IHS provides medical services to AI/AN individuals who are members of more than 560 federally recognized tribes, care is not readily accessible to AI/AN individuals who are members of tribes that are not recognized by the federal government, 2 and only about 10% of the urban Indian population can access IHS services.…”

Prostate cancer incidence among American Indian and Alaska Native men, US, 1999-2004

“…More detailed methodology regarding the BRFSS has been published in this supplement and elsewhere. 13,14 …”

Gastric cancer among American Indians and Alaska Natives in the United States, 1999-2004

“…69 Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System data indicate that AI/AN populations from all regions have a higher prevalence of obesity than NHW populations. 70 Despite this finding, proximal gastric cancer incidence was only significantly higher in AI/ANs than in NHWs among males in Alaska. Family history also confers an elevated risk of gastric cancer.…”