The Indian Health Service and American Indian Alaska Native Health Outcomes

The Indian Health Service (IHS) has made huge strides in narrowing health disparities between American Indian and Alaska Native (AI AN) populations and other racial and ethnic groups. Yet, health disparities experienced by AI AN people persist, with deep historical roots combined with present-day ch...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Annual review of public health 2022-04, Vol.43 (1), p.559-576
Main Authors: Kruse, Gina, Lopez-Carmen, Victor A, Jensen, Anpotowin, Hardie, Lakotah, Sequist, Thomas D
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
AI AN health
Alaska Natives
American Indian or Alaska Native
history
Humans
Indian Health Service
Indians, North American
Outcome Assessment, Health Care
United States - epidemiology
United States Indian Health Service
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Summary:The Indian Health Service (IHS) has made huge strides in narrowing health disparities between American Indian and Alaska Native (AI AN) populations and other racial and ethnic groups. Yet, health disparities experienced by AI AN people persist, with deep historical roots combined with present-day challenges. Here we review the history of the IHS from colonization to the present-day system, highlight persistent disparities in AI AN health and health care, and discuss six key present-day challenges: inadequate funding, limited human resources, challenges associated with transitioning services from federal to Tribal control through contracting and compacting, evolving federal and state programs, the need for culturally sensitive services, and the promise and challenges of health technology.
ISSN:0163-7525
1545-2093
DOI:10.1146/annurev-publhealth-052620-103633