Health of American Indian and Alaska Native Elders in California

This report examines the health risks, health status and health services use of the American Indian/Alaska Native (AIAN) elders in California, home to one of the nation's largest populations of AIAN elderly. Specifically, this report uses the California Health Interview Survey (CHIS) to provide omnibus data on a range of issues, including demographics, obesity, alcohol and tobacco use, as well as cancer screening, mental health, health insurance and more. Assessing and understanding the disease burden among California AIAN elders will enable service providers, health advocates and policymakers to set priorities and allocate resources that will benefit the health and well being of this vulnerable population. Although national health status data exist on the AIAN population as a whole, there is a severe lack of state-level and sub-state level data focused on the health of AIAN elders. This report presents the first comprehensive population-level health data on California's Native Elders.

This report was funded by the California Wellness Foundation, the California Area Indian Health Service, the Mayo Clinic Spirit of Eagles and the UCLA Tribal Learning Community and Educational Exchange.

Publication Authors:

• Delight E. Satter, MPH
• Steven P. Wallace, PhD
• Andrea N. Garcia
• Lauren M. Smith