American Indian and Alaskan Native Elderly Womens' Health Facts

• The Indian Health Service (IHS) operates 50 hospitals and
  several hundred health clinics and health stations throughout the U.S.
• Approximately 1.4 million American Indian and Alaska Natives are eligible for health services under the IHS.
• Traditional Indian healing is important in the health service delivery for older American Indian and Alaska Native women.
• Geographically, the Midwest and the West contain the largest number of older Indian women who live predominantly in rural areas.
• More than half of the American Indians and Alaska older women tend to be living below the U.S. poverty level.
• About three-fourths of the elderly ages 65 to 74 live with their families.
• Significant numbers of elderly Indians suffer Organic Brain Syndrome in the metal disorders portfolio.
• Health care systems need to develop language specific protocols to work effectively with the Indian nations because the elderly require a large number of health care services.
• Effective health care and counseling to the American Indian and Alaska Native older women populations should consist of non-threatening approaches that are in harmony with the Indian traditions and cultures.
• An understanding of the basic teachings of Indian Medicine will provide several methodologies utilizing traditionally that emphasize values that can be applied to their lifestyles today for bringing people back to health.

Source: Office of Minority Women's Health

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