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FRIDAY, AUGUST 24, 2001

Adequate health care in Indian Country is still lacking and disparities are getting worse, said health care experts at the Association of American Indian Physician conference this month.

Nathan Stinson, deputy assistant secretary for minority health, said it is common to turn patients away at Indian health clinics. He also said the medical community has not made any strides in reducing the diseases which afflict Native Americans at higher rates than the rest of the country.

While diabetes is recognized as an epidemic, screening at young ages might not always work, said Kelly Moore, an Indian Health Service regional officer. And unless adequate treatment is set up prior, screening is unethical, she said.

Cancer rates will only get worse, said James Hampton, clinical professor of medicine at the University of Oklahoma.

Get the Story:
Indian-Care Gap Examined (The Albuquerque Journal 8/20)

Relevant Links:
Indian Health Service - http://www.ihs.gov

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