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American Indian/Alaska Native Cancer Policy: Systemic Approaches to Reducing Cancer Disparities

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Abstract

Members of American Indian and Alaska Native (AI/AN) tribes have a unique political status in the United States in terms of citizenship, and that political status determines eligibility for certain unique healthcare services. The AI/AN population has a legal right to healthcare services based on treaties, court decisions, acts of Congress, Executive Orders, and other legal bases. Although the AI/AN population has a right to healthcare services, the Indian Health Service (the federal agency responsible for providing healthcare to AI/ANs) is severely underfunded, limiting access to services (including cancer care). In order to overcome distinct cancer health disparities, policy changes will be needed. This paper reviews the historical pattern of AI/AN healthcare and the challenges of the complex care needed from prevention through end-of-life care for cancer.

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Conflict of Interest

The authors declare that they do not have a conflict of interest.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Master of Public Health Program, North Dakota State University, NDSU Dept 2660, PO Box 6050, Fargo, ND, 58108-6050, USA

    Donald Warne

  2. Mayo Clinic, 200 First Street SW, Rochester, MN, 55905, USA

    Judith Kaur

  3. American Indian Cancer Foundation, 800 IDS Center, 80 South 8TH ST, Minneapolis, MN, 55402, USA

    David Perdue

Authors
  1. Donald Warne
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  2. Judith Kaur
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  3. David Perdue
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Donald Warne.

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Warne, D., Kaur, J. & Perdue, D. American Indian/Alaska Native Cancer Policy: Systemic Approaches to Reducing Cancer Disparities. J Canc Educ 27 (Suppl 1), 18–23 (2012). https://doi.org/10.1007/s13187-012-0315-6

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s13187-012-0315-6

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