Health a Critical Issue for Native Americans Javascript must be enabled to use this site. Please enable Javascript in your browser and try again. × Search search POPULAR SEARCHES SUGGESTED LINKS Join AARP for just $9 per year when you sign up for a 5-year term. Get instant access to members-only products and hundreds of discounts, a free second membership, and a subscription to AARP the Magazine. Leaving AARP.org Website You are now leaving AARP.org and going to a website that is not operated by AARP. A different privacy policy and terms of service will apply.

Health a Critical Issue for Native Americans

AARP adviser speaks about the challenges and opportunities facing Indian country

Michael E. Bird is a national consultant to AARP on Native American/Alaskan Native communities and an Indian health expert. Courtesy of Michael E. Bird , Michael E. Bird, about the pressing health issues facing tribal nations. A Santo Domingo-San Juan Pueblo Indian from New Mexico, Bird has more than 30 years of public health experience with Native American populations. Previously, he was the executive director of the National Native American AIDS Prevention Center, worked with the Indian Health Service and was the first American Indian to serve as president (2000–01) of the American Public Health Association. Get instant access to members-only products and hundreds of discounts, a free second membership, and a subscription to AARP the Magazine.

Please describe your role and work with AARP br

I recently served a six-year term on the National Policy Council of AARP. Out of that came the report, "," in the fall of 2015. I then joined the Multicultural Leadership department and helped them to develop a strategic plan to increase engagement with the native communities. We've really attempted to raise the level of visibility, engagement and outreach and to develop ongoing relationships with national [American Indian and Alaska Native] organizations.

What are the top health concerns for Native Americans at this time br

, unintentional injuries and across the board. There are 567 federally recognized tribes that IHS is responsible for ... and it has never been funded adequately to address those issues.
It is related to the concept of "social determinants of health" — we have challenging conditions, which then leads to poor health outcomes. The life expectancy is about 4.4 years less than other populations — 73.7 for Native Americans and 78.1 for everyone else. For Plains tribes, their life expectancy is much lower than 73. They are rural and deal with lack of economic opportunity, lack of safety net and lack of resources. Flowers & Gifts 25% off sitewide and 30% off select items See more Flowers & Gifts offers > Environmental health also plays a role. Alaska Natives have seen the impact of global warming in their communities. Permafrost is an element where the ground stays cold and they can store food there, but it is not frozen any longer. The oceans are rising, and it is impacting not only wild life but Native villages close to the oceans, as well.

Please talk about the issue of diabetes management

We are seeing some improvement in the area of diabetes. There was legislation that increased funding for prevention, and there has been growing awareness about the importance of and the role of exercise. More communities are embracing traditional practices to promote health, including events that promote runs and walks and going back to traditional diets. Some foods that were imposed from the outside, commodity foods, had the unintended consequence of not being very healthy. Now there is a shift to food sovereignty — people asserting their rights to traditional diets.

How can people learn more about the health issues affecting Indian Country

The is always a resource, and advocates on behalf of tribes. The works on the well-being of urban Indian communities. Due to federal policies, a significant portion [of Native Americans] live in urban areas now. The level of knowledge [about Native Americans] is somewhat limited among non-Natives. One has to understand history to really appreciate anything. It is like coming into a movie when it is half over — if you don’t understand history, there is no way to appreciate what present-day circumstances are. AARP NEWSLETTERS %{ newsLetterPromoText }% %{ description }% Subscribe AARP VALUE & MEMBER BENEFITS See more Health & Wellness offers > See more Flights & Vacation Packages offers > See more Finances offers > See more Health & Wellness offers > SAVE MONEY WITH THESE LIMITED-TIME OFFERS