Date of Award

2012

Document Type

Research Paper

First Advisor

Julie Collins-Dogrul

Abstract

American Indians experience poorer health, higher incidences of disease, and lower incomes than any other group in the US. There are 2.235 million total American Indians/Alaska Natives (AI/AN) residing in the United States with the largest urban congregation of AI/AN in the LOs Angeles region (approx. 140,000 people). Medical anthropologists have found that commitment to culturally competent care combining Western biomedicine and traditional medicine can improve health outcomes. Despite large policy changes and institutionally driven efforts, the diverse American Indian population across the US still does not have consistent access to providers and healthcare; whether culturally competent or not. Using a database of available resources and discussions with providers, this paper explores the options available to American Indians for culturally comprehensive health care in the Navajo Nation area compared to those available in LA County. I analyzed resources in these two areas including services offered, presence and scope of traditional or cultural focuses, populations targeted, fees paid, and access to primary care. I argue that present monetary, federal, and institutional barriers to comprehensive healthcare for urban American Indians provide challenges in accessing quality and affordable healthcare. The health Service resources (including access to culturally competent care and traditional healing) available to American Indians in the rural Navajo Nation far surpass those in urban LA and may be indicative of the realities faced by American Indians in all urban locations. This study is not intended to diminish or in any way discount the barriers to accessing quality care that are still present to American Indians living in the Navajo Nation areas. Rather, the goal is to compare the options available to urban and rural populations. I suggest that reallocating funds and emphasizing the provisions of culturally responsive care be taken as methods to improve the health status of LA county’s American Indian population.

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