We found a match
Your institution may have access to this item. Find your institution then sign in to continue.
- Title
American Indian/Alaska Native Health Policy.
- Authors
Duran, Bonnie M.
- Abstract
The article discusses factors affecting the American Indian/Alaska Native health policy (AIAN). The plans of the Indian Health Service (IHS) to dramatically reduce services at its Albuquerque, New Mexico facilities owing to budget deficits, exemplify the outdated health financing policy in Indian country. When the IHS was established in 1955, more than 95% of Indian people lived on or near their home reservations. Now, more than 60% of members of U.S. tribes reside outside their home reservations at least part of the year, but only 1% of the IHS budget is allocated for urban Indian health care. AIAN per capita funding does not follow individuals off the reservation. Another problem is that many local and state governments believe the responsibility for Indian health and social services lies solely with the federal government, even though local and state governments benefit as much or more from the land succession upon which those service provision agreements are based. Indian health problems are both structural and behavioral, and some level of accountability must also rest with tribal governments and individuals. In this era of evidence-based public health practice, reforms to AIAN health policy are essential steps toward remediation and reconciliation.
- Subjects
UNITED States; MEDICAL care of Native Americans; HEALTH policy; PUBLIC health; UNITED States. Indian Health Service; MEDICAL care
- Publication
American Journal of Public Health, 2005, Vol 95, Issue 5, p758
- ISSN
0090-0036
- Publication type
Editorial
- DOI
10.2105/AJPH.95.5.758