Did You Know?

As a whole, American Indians experience poorer health status, higher rates of disease and illness, and lower family incomes in comparison with the U.S. population. Historically, American Indians have relied upon the facilities and programs of the federal Indian Health Service (IHS) to access healthcare.

However, despite the fact the majority of American Indians now live in urban centers, reservations have consistently received the greatest share of the healthcare dollar. Of the $2.8 billion dollars appropriated to IHS for Fiscal Year 2003 only $31 million dollars has been budgeted for urban Indian health programs, this amounts to less than 1.1% of the budget for the entire nation.American Indians have the lowest life expectancy in the United States.

These rates are the lowest in the hemisphere with the exception of Haiti. American Indians experience the poorest health status, highest rates of disease and lower family incomes in comparison with the U.S. population. 1/3 of all American Indians suffer from health conditions such as diabetes, heart disease, asthma, arthritis, obesity and/or depression.

The Federal Indian Health Service budget totals only 0.6% of the Federal Department of Health Resources budget for the fiscal year of 2003. Over 76,000 American Indian reside in Los Angeles County, making up the largest American Indian Community in the United States.