Compared to the U.S. general population and other tribal groups, fewer Alaska Native older adults reported their health as good or excellent and nearly one half indicated their health as poor. However, health status of Alaska Native people overall has improved over the years, largely due to the increased availability of medical care and advances in medical science.
The increase in life expectancy among Alaska Natives is 76.6 years at birth and in 2020. This is primarily due to the reduction in infectious diseases and acute illnesses as a major cause of death. The increasing incidence of chronic disease in the Alaska Native population is often associated with an increase in functional limitations and more years of disability.
Source:The information related to health risks of Alaska Native older adults was retrieved with permission from the author at NRC – Listening to our Elders. The material is from the following report: “Long term care needs of Alaska Native elders” pages 30-40 chapter 3, which was prepared by Kay Branch from the Alaska Native Tribal Health Consortium.
