Native Americans face a lower life expectancy than other ethnic or racial groups, at about 5.5 years less, and are also 2.3 times more likely to die from diabetes, facing a higher risk of suicide. This month, as part of Native American Heritage Month, SPI wants to bring attention to the stark health disparities that Indigenous Californians face, but also highlight voices of resilience.
The California Improvement Network released a comprehensive post that goes into the complex historical traumas that underlie these health disparities with Native perspectives on resilience. They highlight recommendations for working toward closing these health disparities, which include the importance of health organizations partnering with local tribes and a framework for non-indigenous providers to utilize cultural humility.
