Leading Health Challenges Pine Ridge Reservation, South Dakota Oglala Lakota Sioux

Abstract

Intergenerational and Historical Trauma has long affected American Indians (AI) down to the genetic level since recent studies have demonstrated genes "…can carry memories of trauma experienced by our ancestors and can influence how we react to trauma and stress [1]. According to the Indian Health Services (IHS) [2], the American Indian (AI) people have long experienced lower health status when compared with other Americans. Lower life expectancy and the disproportionate disease burden exist perhaps because of inadequate education, disproportionate poverty, discrimination in the delivery of health services, and cultural differences. These are broad quality of life issues rooted in economic adversity and poor social conditions (IHS) [2]. Lakota Indians die at higher rates than other Americans from alcoholism (552% higher), diabetes (800% higher) all AI (182% higher), infant mortality (300% higher), unintentional injuries (138% higher), homicide (83% higher), suicide (74% higher) teenage suicide rate is (150% higher), cervical cancer (500% higher), and tuberculosis (800% higher) (IHS) [2]. The Lakota have the lowest life expectancy of any group in America. Motorists on the Reservation are four times more likely to die in fatal car accidents than anywhere else due to poor roads and alcohol use are major factors (IHS) [2]. As stated by Stacie White, Stanford University: "I traveled to Haiti a month after the 2010 earthquake to report on what was happening there for Stanford Medicine magazine. So when I went to the Rosebud Indian Reservation in South Dakota this year with a group of Stanford students, I was incredulous to learn that the average life expectancy in this community was one year lower than Haiti's-46 versus 47-and a full 33 years shorter than the average American, White [3]."