Health characteristics of the American Indian or Alaska Native adult population: United States, 2004-2008

Abstract

Objective: This report compares national estimates for selected health status indicators, health behaviors, health care utilization, health conditions, immunizations, and human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) testing status for American Indian or Alaska Native (AIAN) adults with those for white, black, Asian, and Hispanic adults aged 18 years and over.

Methods: The estimates in this report were derived from the Family Core and the Sample Adult core components of the 2004-2008 National Health Interview Surveys, conducted by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's National Center for Health Statistics. Estimates were generated and compared using the SUDAAN statistical package to account for the complex sample design.

Results: In general, compared with other groups, non-Hispanic AIAN adults' are more likely to have poorer health, unmet medical needs due to cost, diabetes, trouble hearing, activity limitations, and to have experienced feelings of psychological distress in the past 30 days. Non-Hispanic AIAN adults are more likely to be current smokers and current drinkers compared with other adults.

Conclusion: The non-Hispanic AIAN community faces many health challenges as reflected in their higher rates of risky health behaviors, poorer health status and health conditions, and lower utilization of health services.