An Analysis of Disparities and Political Implications in Native American Healthcare
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.47611/jsrhs.v13i2.6784Keywords:
Native American healthcare, Health disparities, Political implications, Indian Health Service, Healthcare funding disparities, Government accountability, Rural healthcare, Mental health disparities, Socioeconomic factorsAbstract
For centuries, an agenda of colonialist-driven politics has left the Native American community alienated from society. Generally stemming from the negligent political values pushed by the United States government, multiple external factors have left Native Americans with a fraction of the prosperity and unity that they once held. Through a series of statistical and holistic analyses of Native American culture and population levels over the years, it has become evident that the lack of attention and support from publicly funded institutions has increased Native vulnerability to a world of rising health threats. In addition to an already meager amount of financial support, organizations directed at helping Natives are met with stubborn governmental legislation that has refused to create the substantial change necessary to modernize a failing system. As such, even though recent advancements have been made and new establishments are on the rise, the most prominent issue regards the government’s unwillingness to expand and create meaningful change. With these issues in mind, this analysis of health disparities impacting the Native American community provides support for the argument that the United States Federal Government must take more action towards making reparations for its past mistakes, in addition to providing the basis for a healthcare system that American Indians can rely on.
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