Indianz.Com > News > Native America Calling: Disparity widens for Native American life expectancy
native america calling
Native America Calling
Listen to Native America Calling every weekday at 1pm Eastern.
Alternate Links: Native Voice One | NAC
Native America Calling: Disparity widens for Native American life expectancy
Wednesday, June 18, 2025
nativeamericacalling.com   nativeamericacalling   nativeamericacalling

Disparity widens for Native American life expectancy
A new study finds the death rate for Native Americans — which was already higher than other groups — is much higher than previously thought.

The analysis just published in the Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA) finds the gap in life expectancy between Native Americans and Alaska Natives and the national average is almost three times wider than what official statistics say it is. The researchers point to the fact that more than 40% of death certificates misidentify Native Americans and Alaska Natives.

One of the study’s researchers says the discrepancies indicate “statistical erasure” in routine public health data has obscured the severity of a mortality crisis among Native people.

Tune into Native America Calling to get a handle on the new study and what is behind the numbers.

Guests on Native America Calling
Michael Bird (Kewa Pueblo and Ohkay Owingeh), past president of the American Public Health Association and past national consultant for AARP

Stephanie Woolhandler, distinguished professor at the City University of New York – Hunter College

All Episodes on Spotify | More Options
Search
Filed Under
Tags
More Headlines
Montana Free Press: Native lawmaker breaks silence on sexual misconduct and resumes campaign for Congress
Native America Callling: Native Fashion Week takes root in Santa Fe
Native America Callling: Tribes try to stay ahead of prediction markets on sports betting
Montana Free Press: Native lawmaker removed from committees over sexual misconduct allegations
Native America Callling: Alaska MMIW case exemplifies lingering distrust in law enforcement motivations
NAFOA: 5 Things You Need to Know This Week (May 4, 2026)
Chuck Hoskin: Cherokee Nation preserves tribal history
Native America Callling: Demands for action grow as details of Indigenous surveillance program surface
Native America Callling: Efforts to improve Native student achievement under fire
VIDEO: Chairman Ken Choke of Nisqually Tribe | H.R.7515 | Clear Creek Hatchery
Native America Callling: Reflecting on the milestone pipeline protest movement at Standing Rock
Native America Callling: Traditional diet success and the first Indigenous ‘Chopped’ champion
Native America Callling: Oklahoma tribes work to keep Medicaid access intact as federal cuts loom
Tom Cole: Political rhetoric has gotten out of hand
NAFOA: 5 Things You Need to Know This Week (April 27, 2026)
More Headlines