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Facts About American Indian Healthcare
- Traditional healers usually do not share their knowledge about traditional Indian medicines. The knowledge belongs to the healer and the healer’s family. It is considered private property, and it is passed from one generation to the next. (p. 66). Many medicines are given in secret to protect this knowledge. (Turner, Bouchard, & Kennedy)
- The way that American Indians took care of the sick and injured was different from the way Europeans practiced medicine. Early European visitors to American Indian villages were surprised to find that the quality of care among tribes was as good as, or better than, that of Europeans. (p. 66).
- Native healing practices often include both physical and spiritual parts. Usually these parts cannot be separated. (p. 69) For most of the Twentieth Century, Native healing did not get much attention from Western medicine. Today more hospitals and healthcare providers are open to Native healing practices. (p. 62)
Source
Moss, M. (2016). American Indian Health and Nursing. New York, NY: Springer Publishing Company.
Facts About Social Determinants of Health
Healthy People 2020
Healthy People 2020 is a set of health goals from the Centers for Disease Control. The goals include Social Determinates of Health. Social determinates of Health can be positive or negative. Some examples include:
- Exposure to crime and violence
- Concentrated poverty and stressful living conditions
- Quality of education and availability of job training
- Access to education and job opportunity
- Availability of stores, housing, and resources to meet living needs
- Access to healthcare
For more information on Social Determinates of Health, including relevant statistics, visit www.healthypeople.gov.