Treaties, Public Health Service, and Health Status of Native American Children, Adolescents, and Young Adults

Abstract

Since the first European contact, Native American populations have experienced inequities in health. Although the evidence lags because of underreporting or misclassifying of race and ethnicity data, there are egregious inequities in American Indian/Alaska Native child health reports relative to the general population. These health inequities are driven by historical and current systemic racism and result in exposure to adverse childhood experiences, including psychological and physical abuse, violence, or substance use, manifesting in an intergenerational and epigenetic predisposition to poor health outcomes. Pediatric health professionals, allied health professionals, and community partners are essential in helping identify children at risk for health inequities and advocating for policies combating structural racism. Keywords: American Indian/Alaska Native, health inequities, historical trauma