Healthcare Barriers Faced By Native Americans

Native Americans face many barriers in healthcare. They may live in rural areas with little access to medical care. They may not have insurance. They may not speak English. They may not be able to afford care. Keep reading to learn more about the healthcare barriers faced by Native Americans, and if you feel compelled to help, consider pursuing your health economics masters online.

Geographical Isolation

The United States has a long history of marginalizing and discriminating against Native American communities. One particularly egregious example of this is the way that they lack healthcare access due to their geographical isolation. There are 566 federally recognized tribes in the US, and they are spread out across 55 states and territories. This geographical isolation has led to significant disparities in healthcare access and outcomes for Aboriginals. For example, in 2012, the Indian Health Service (IHS) reported that Native Americans had shocking health outcomes; they were almost twice as likely to die from diabetes as the general population. They were also more likely to suffer from heart disease, cancer, and stroke.

One of the biggest barriers to healthcare access for Native Americans is the lack of transportation, which is a public health issue. There is a significant shortage of healthcare providers in rural areas, and many live in remote communities that are difficult to access. The geographical isolation of these communities has resulted in significant disparities in healthcare access and outcomes. If you are indigenous and want to learn more about your family’s history of health issues, consider taking a DNA Indian test.

Poverty

The healthcare of Native Americans in the US has been a long-standing issue due to poverty and other social factors. Native Americans are more likely to experience poverty and lack of healthcare than any other racial or ethnic group in the US. This is in part due to the history of discrimination against Native Americans, including the policies of the US government that have resulted in the loss of traditional lands and resources. The passage of the Affordable Care Act (ACA) in 2010 provided a new opportunity for this population to gain access to health insurance, but many remain uninsured. One barrier to enrollment is the lack of information about the availability of coverage and the process of enrollment. The Indian Health Service (IHS) is the federal agency that is responsible for providing healthcare to Native Americans. However, the IHS is chronically underfunded, and has been described as a “broken system.”

Cultural Differences

It has been well documented that Native Americans in the United States lack adequate healthcare. This is due, in part, to cultural differences that make accessing care difficult. One example is the fact that many Native Americans do not seek healthcare until they are very ill, because they believe that illness is a spiritual matter that should be handled in consultation with a tribal healer. Additionally, many of them mistrust the healthcare system and are reluctant to seek care out of fear that they will be discriminated against or that their culture will be mocked. Inadequate healthcare for Native Americans is a serious problem that requires urgent attention. It is essential that we find ways to address the cultural barriers that prevent Native Americans from accessing care. We must also work to improve the quality of care that is available to them through the Indian Health Service. Only then will they be able to receive the quality healthcare they need and deserve.

There are a number of healthcare barriers faced by Native Americans, which can have a negative impact on their overall health. These barriers include a lack of access to quality healthcare due to geographical isolation, cultural differences, and poverty. Addressing these issues is essential for improving the health of Native Americans.