| NOVEMBER IS
AMERICAN INDIAN/ALASKA NATIVE (AI/AN) HERITAGE MONTH |
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During this month, the U.S. Department
of Health and Human Services will join with other Federal
departments and agencies, local government offices, national and
local organizations, and interested individuals to recognize
American Indian and Alaska Native (AI/AN) contributions to the
development and history of the United States. Information about
activities in the District of Columbia to celebrate National
American Indian and Alaska Native Heritage Month is available from
the Indian Health Service
(IHS). In Atlanta, staff and guests from CDC and the Agency for
Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR) will host the first in
a series of lectures designed to enhance knowledge and understanding
of AI/AN culture and history. |
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Health challenges facing AI/AN
communities include cancer, diabetes, environmental contamination,
heart disease, injuries, sexually transmitted diseases, sudden
infant death syndrome, vaccine-preventable diseases, and viral
hepatitis. A variety of health disparities affect AI/AN communities
(1,2). To address these disparities, CDC and ATSDR work with tribal
governments, tribal organizations, urban Indian health centers, IHS,
and other partners to provide funding and technical assistance to
tribal governments and organizations. CDC and ATSDR also commit
professional staff to positions in Indian country and work with IHS
to strengthen AI/AN public health capacity. Additional information
is available on the
OMH AI/AN Population Page
and from ATSDR. |
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The Census Bureau estimates that 4.3
million people are American Indian and Alaska Native or American
Indian and Alaska Native in combination with one or more other races
as of July 1, 2002; they made up 1.5% of the total population. |
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3.1 million individuals claim membership in a
specific tribe. |
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Cherokee is the largest American Indian tribe
(population 697,400 alone or in combination with one or more other
races or tribes); Tlingit is the largest Alaska native tribe (17,200
members). |
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538,000 American Indians and Alaska natives live on
reservations or other land trusts; 66% live in metropolitan areas,
lowest of any race group. |
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1.4 million American Indian and Alaska natives are
children are under 18; 292,000 American Indians and Alaska natives
are are 65 and over. |
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| FOR MORE
INFORMATION |
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The Creation of National American Indian and Alaska Native Heritage
Month: A Brief History |
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White House Presidential
Proclamation |
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White House Executive Order 13270: Tribal Colleges and Universities |
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U.S.
Census Bureau Facts on the AI/AN Population |
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MMWR |
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CDC Office on Smoking and Health |
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American Indians and Alaska Natives and Tobacco |
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ATSDR Office
of Tribal Affairs |
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Bureau of
Indian Affairs |
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FirstGov for Tribal Governments and American Indians |
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Indian Health Service |
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The Creation of National American Indian and Alaska Native Heritage
Month: A Brief History |
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Native American Resources on the Internet |
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Tribal Epidemiology Centers |
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Social Security Online: American Indians and Alaska Natives |
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National Council of Urban Indian Health |
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American Indian & Alaska Native
National,
Regional &
Local
Health Boards List |
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American Indians/Alaska Natives Mental Health Fact Sheet
Culturally Specific Mental Health Resources for Native American
Indians |
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Healthfinder: American Indians and Alaska Natives |
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Medline Plus: Native American Health |
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American Diabetes Association: Native Americans |
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National Indian Council On Aging (NICOA) |
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National Indian Health Board (NIHB) |
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National Native American AIDS Prevention Center (NNAAPC) |
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569 American Indian/Alaska Native Tribes |
