Heart disease and cancer were once non-existent among Alaska Natives but are now showing up in significant numbers, according to recent studies.

One study showed that Alaska Natives have a greater risk of dying from heart disease than non-Natives. While the death rate has fallen for non-Natives over the past 20 years, the same hasn't happened for Natives.

Another study showed that the current death rate for Natives is comparable to that of non-Natives. Researchers attribute the increase to high rates of tobacco use among Natives and a shift to a more sedentary lifestyle.

Get the Story:
Heart disease targets more Alaska Natives (The Anchorage Daily News 10/19)
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