Chronic Diseases
Chronic diseases are illnesses or conditions that last three months or more, such as heart disease or diabetes. Generally, these diseases cannot be cured by medications and do not disappear on their own. American Indian/Alaska Native (AI/AN) people have higher rates of chronic diseases than other ethnic groups in the United States. For example, AI/ANs are twice as likely to be diagnosed with diabetes, have a greater prevalence of obesity, and are more likely to be smokers. The resources below provide information specifically for AI/AN populations, as well as general information for chronic diseases that affect Native people at higher rates.
- CDC and Indian Country[PDF – 12 MB]
- Healthy Tribes
- Good Health and Wellness in Indian Country: At a Glance 2016
Diabetes
Cancer
- Cancer Within Native American and Alaska Native Populations
- Cancer in American Indians and Alaska Natives in the United States
- Cancer and American Indians/Alaska Natives
Obesity
