The Health Status of American IndiansNative Americans in Massachusetts

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The Health Status of American Indians/Native
Americans in Massachusetts

• Massachusetts Department of Public Health
• Center for Health Information, Statistics,
  Research, and Evaluation
• Division of Research and Epidemiology

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National American Indian Heritage Month During
National American Indian Heritage Month, we honor
the generations of American Indians and Alaska
Natives who have added to the character of our
Nation. This month is an opportunity to celebrate
their many accomplishments and their rich
ancestry and traditions. George W. Bush , 2006
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Native American Collaborators

• Mashpee Wampanoag Tribe
• Aquinnah Wampanoag Tribe
• North American Indian Center of Boston

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Indian Health Service Areas
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Making History

• One of the first comprehensive reports on Native
  American health by a state

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Making History in Massachusetts

• First health report on American Indians
• First statewide report to collaborate with Native
  Americans
• First report to integrate information from
  federal, state and tribal data collections
• First report to use Indian-driven data

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American Indian Population by County Massachusetts
Census 2000
Source U.S. Census 2000
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Outline of Todays Presentation

• Socio-demographics
• Survey Results
• Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System
• Mashpee Wampanoag Community Health Survey
• NAICOB Community Health Survey
• - Youth Risk Behavior Survey
• Health Outcomes
• - Births
• - Deaths
• Summary

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Socio-Demographics
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Race According to Census 2000
United States
Massachusetts
Source Census 2000
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American Indians in Race Combinations Census 2000
United States
Massachusetts
Source U.S. Census 2000
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Different Counts of the American Indian/Alaska
Native Population in Massachusetts 2000
Census 2000
MDPH 2000
MARS 2000
Census 2000
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Age Distribution of American Indians in
Massachusetts Census 2000
Massachusetts Overall
American Indian
65
45-64
25-44
0-24
Source U.S. Census 2000
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American Indian and Alaska Native Tribes
Massachusetts Census 2000
Only federally recognized American Indian Tribe
in Massachusetts
Source U.S. Census 2000
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American Indian Population by City/Town
Massachusetts 2000
gt 1 MA population lt 1 MA population
Source U.S. Census 2000
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Source U.S. Census 2000
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Source U.S. Census 2000
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Economic Indicators 1999
Source U.S. Census 2000
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Socio-Demographic Indicators 2000
Source U.S. Census 2000
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Less Than High School Education Massachusetts
2000
Source U.S. Census 2000, SF-4
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Census 2000 Adjusted CountMassachusetts 2000
Source U.S. Census 2000
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Survey Results
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Health Status Findings
Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance Survey
Massachusetts 2001-2005
Source Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance
System (BRFSS) 2001-2005
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Access to Health Behavioral Risk Factor
Surveillance Survey Massachusetts 2001-2005
Source Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance
System (BRFSS) 2001-2005
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Health Status Indicators North American Indian
Center of Boston Community Health Survey 2002
Source North American Indian Center of Boston
Community Health Survey, 2002.
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Health Status Indicators Mashpee Wampanoag
Community Health Survey Massachusetts 2002
Source Wampanoag Community Health Survey, 2002.
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The Health Status of High School Students Youth
Risk Behavior Survey 1993-2003
Source Department of Education, YRBS 1993-2003
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The Health Status of High School Students Youth
Risk Behavior Survey 1993-2003
Source Department of Education, YRBS 1993-2003
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Health Outcomes
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Birth IndicatorsMassachusetts 1999-2004
Source Massachusetts Births 1999-2004
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Birth IndicatorsMassachusetts 1999-2004
Source Massachusetts Births 1999-2004
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Leading Causes of Death (NCHS Ranking)
Massachusetts 1994-2004

1 Chronic Lower Respiratory Disease
Source Massachusetts Department of Public
Health, Massachusetts Deaths 1994-2004
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Underestimation in Mortality Rates for American
Indians
Because it is more likely for race to be reported
as Native American in the Census than it is in
the death certificates, this results in a net
underestimation of mortality

• The number of deaths (numerator) and the
  population count (denominator) are inconsistent.
• Race is self-reported on the Census whereas, on
  death certificates, race may be reported by the
  family, the certifying physician, the funeral
  director, or other informant.
• More than one race can be reported on the Census,
  whereas, currently, only single races are allowed
  on the death certificate
• The American Indian population count
  (denominator) in mortality rates may be
  inaccurate because of the large number of
  mixed-race persons who are, in part, Native
  American.

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All Cause Mortality Age-Adjusted Death Rates
1994-2004
Adjusted Estimate
Underestimate
Age-adjusted to the 2000 US standard population.

Source Massachusetts Department of Public
Health, Death certificates.
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Summary
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Summary
The Health Status of American Indians/Native
Americans in Massachusetts

• Makes history in Massachusetts public health
• A baseline by which we can track improvements in
  American Indian health
• A much needed resource for American Indian groups
  to assess the health needs of their communities
• Highlights the need for better methods of
  collection of race and ethnicity data
• Starting point for research into the health of
  American Indians and the development of programs
  targeted to this population

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How Can You Access this Report?

• Hard Copies [phone]
• [phone]
• TDD/TTY [phone]
• DPH Website
• http//www.mass.gov/dph/pubstats.htm

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Thank You