Native American and Alaska Native people face health disparities across the life course, including higher burdens of major cancers, heart disease, diabetes, and infectious conditions. The patterns include higher liver and colorectal cancer mortality, greater stroke and heart disease death rates, and poorer hypertension and diabetes control. The page also examines mental health risks—like PTSD among veterans—and how suicide and COVID-19 can intensify these gaps.
Key Takeaways
- AI/AN cancer incidence rate is 327.8 per 100,000, similar to whites but mortality 13% higher (2014-2018)
- Liver cancer mortality in AI/AN is 3.3 times higher than whites (15.5 vs 4.7 per 100,000)
- Colorectal cancer death rate for AI/AN 20.6 per 100,000, 25% higher than whites
- AI/AN age-adjusted heart disease death rate is 189.1 per 100,000, 1.2 times higher than whites (2018)
- Stroke mortality among AI/AN is 48.5 per 100,000, 1.3 times the white rate (2015-2019)
- AI/AN have hypertension prevalence of 34.1%, vs 30.2% U.S. adults, but poorer control (2017)
- In 2018, the age-adjusted diabetes prevalence among American Indians/Alaska Natives (AI/AN) was 14.5%, more than double the 7.1% rate for non-Hispanic whites
- AI/AN adults have a diabetes mortality rate 1.7 times higher than the general U.S. population (52.8 vs 31.1 per 100,000)
- Among AI/AN in Arizona, diabetes prevalence reached 19.2% in 2019, compared to 9.5% statewide
- Tuberculosus incidence in AI/AN 3.3 times U.S. rate (3.9 vs 1.2 per 100,000, 2020)
- COVID-19 death rate for AI/AN 2.1 times whites (254 vs 121 per 100,000, 2021)
- Hepatitis C prevalence 2.5% in AI/AN vs 1.0% whites (2015-2018)
- AI/AN suicide rate is 3.5 times the national average (16.1 per 100,000 in 2019)
- AI/AN youth suicide death rate 2.5 times whites (10.1 vs 4.0 per 100,000, ages 10-24)
- 22% of AI/AN adults report serious psychological distress vs 4% whites (2019 NSDUH)
Across cancer, heart disease, diabetes, and COVID 19, American Indians and Alaska Natives face far higher mortality rates than whites.
Related reading
01 · Category
Cancer27 stats
01
AI/AN cancer incidence rate is 327.8 per 100,000, similar to whites but mortality 13% higher (2014-2018)
02
Liver cancer mortality in AI/AN is 3.3 times higher than whites (15.5 vs 4.7 per 100,000)
03
Colorectal cancer death rate for AI/AN 20.6 per 100,000, 25% higher than whites
04
Breast cancer mortality in AI/AN women 1.4 times whites (27.2 vs 19.5)
05
Lung cancer incidence in AI/AN men 54.9 per 100,000, highest due to smoking
06
Kidney cancer mortality 1.8 times higher in AI/AN (5.9 vs 3.3 per 100,000)
07
Cervical cancer death rate 2.1 times whites in AI/AN women (4.9 vs 2.3)
08
Prostate cancer incidence similar but stage-at-diagnosis later in AI/AN (45% regional)
09
Pancreatic cancer mortality 1.3x higher (13.4 vs 10.3)
10
In Northern Plains tribes, gallbladder cancer rates 5x national average
11
AI/AN 5-year cancer survival 54% vs 67% whites
12
Oral cancer death rate 1.5x higher (3.7 vs 2.5 per 100,000)
13
HPV-related cancer incidence 1.7x whites in AI/AN women
14
In Alaska Natives, nasopharyngeal cancer 10x higher
15
Late-stage breast cancer diagnosis 50% more common in AI/AN
16
Liver cancer in AI/AN linked to HCV, with 70% late diagnosis
17
Colorectal screening rates 52% in AI/AN vs 68% whites (2020)
18
Stomach cancer mortality 2.1x higher (7.0 vs 3.3 per 100,000)
19
Multiple myeloma incidence 1.4x whites (7.9 vs 5.7)
20
In Southwest, liver fluke-related cholangiocarcinoma elevated
21
AI/AN cancer treatment delays average 30 days longer
22
Bladder cancer mortality similar but 20% higher recurrence in AI/AN
23
In urban AI/AN, cancer mortality 15% above rural peers
24
Esophageal cancer death rate 1.6x whites (5.2 vs 3.3)
25
Leukemia incidence 1.2x higher in AI/AN children
26
Melanoma mortality lower but rising 5% annually in AI/AN
27
Thyroid cancer incidence highest in AI/AN women (18.5 per 100,000)
Interpretation
Cancer Interpretation
Across key Cancer outcomes, Native American communities experience consistently higher burden than whites, including liver cancer mortality at 3.3 times and overall mortality about 13% higher despite incidence rates around 327.8 per 100,000, pointing to disparities in risk and or survival beyond being similar to whites for some cancers.
02 · Category
Cardiovascular Disease24 stats
01
AI/AN age-adjusted heart disease death rate is 189.1 per 100,000, 1.2 times higher than whites (2018)
02
Stroke mortality among AI/AN is 48.5 per 100,000, 1.3 times the white rate (2015-2019)
03
AI/AN have hypertension prevalence of 34.1%, vs 30.2% U.S. adults, but poorer control (2017)
04
Coronary heart disease hospitalization rates for AI/AN are 25% higher than whites (2016)
05
In Alaska Natives, cardiovascular mortality is 20% higher than U.S. average (2019)
06
AI/AN adults have 1.5 times higher prevalence of high cholesterol (39% vs 26%)
07
Heart failure rates among AI/AN Medicare enrollees 1.4 times higher (2018)
08
AI/AN women experience MI mortality 1.6 times higher than white women
09
In Southwest tribes, rheumatic heart disease persists at 5-10 per 1,000, vs <1 nationally
10
AI/AN have 40% higher rates of peripheral artery disease linked to CVD
11
Smoking prevalence 31% in AI/AN contributes to 50% higher CVD death risk
12
AI/AN youth have 2x higher congenital heart defects prevalence
13
In Montana, AI/AN heart disease death rate 248 per 100,000 vs 180 whites (2019)
14
Urban AI/AN CVD hospitalization 30% above national average (UIHI)
15
AI/AN have lower statin prescription rates (45% vs 60% diabetics with CVD)
16
Cerebrovascular disease death rate for AI/AN men 1.4x whites (65.2 vs 46.1)
17
In IHS areas, 25% of AI/AN adults have uncontrolled hypertension
18
AI/AN post-MI 30-day mortality 15% higher
19
Atrial fibrillation prevalence 1.3x higher in AI/AN over 65
20
In Oklahoma, AI/AN stroke rate 62 per 100,000 vs 38 whites
21
AI/AN have 2x higher aortic aneurysm rupture rates
22
CVD contributes to 24% of AI/AN deaths, vs 23% nationally but at younger ages
23
AI/AN rural residents have 1.8x CVD mortality disparity
24
Carotid artery stenosis screening underutilized in AI/AN (only 20% screened)
Interpretation
Cardiovascular Disease Interpretation
Across cardiovascular disease indicators, American Indian and Alaska Native communities show consistently higher burden than whites and the broader US population, including heart disease death rates of 189.1 per 100,000 and coronary heart disease hospitalization rates 25% higher than whites, alongside high cholesterol at 39% versus 26%.
03 · Category
Diabetes30 stats
01
In 2018, the age-adjusted diabetes prevalence among American Indians/Alaska Natives (AI/AN) was 14.5%, more than double the 7.1% rate for non-Hispanic whites
02
AI/AN adults have a diabetes mortality rate 1.7 times higher than the general U.S. population (52.8 vs 31.1 per 100,000)
03
Among AI/AN in Arizona, diabetes prevalence reached 19.2% in 2019, compared to 9.5% statewide
04
End-stage renal disease due to diabetes is 3.8 times higher in AI/AN than in whites (2017 data)
05
AI/AN youth aged 10-19 have a type 2 diabetes prevalence of 1.4%, over 3 times higher than white youth (0.4%)
06
In the IHS service population, diabetes-related amputations occur at a rate 3-4 times higher than the U.S. average
07
Pima Indians in Arizona have the highest diabetes prevalence globally at 38% in adults over 35
08
AI/AN women have gestational diabetes rates 8.3 times higher than white women (8.4% vs 1.0%)
09
Diabetes hospitalization rates for AI/AN are 2.3 times higher than for whites (2016-2018)
10
In South Dakota, AI/AN diabetes death rate was 77.5 per 100,000 vs 22.4 for whites (2015-2019)
11
AI/AN have diabetic retinopathy prevalence of 22%, double the U.S. average
12
Among Navajo Nation, diabetes prevalence is 21.1% (2018 survey)
13
AI/AN adults with diabetes have uncontrolled A1C (>9%) in 42% of cases vs 26% whites
14
Diabetes contributes to 13% of AI/AN deaths under 65, vs 4% nationally
15
In Alaska Natives, diabetes prevalence doubled from 5.7% in 1993 to 11.4% in 2017
16
AI/AN Medicare beneficiaries have 50% higher rates of diabetes-related ER visits
17
Type 1 diabetes incidence in AI/AN youth is 12.2 per 100,000, similar to whites but with higher complications
18
In Oklahoma, AI/AN diabetes prevalence is 15.8% vs 10.2% non-Hispanic whites (BRFSS 2020)
19
AI/AN with diabetes have 2.5 times higher risk of lower extremity amputation
20
Urban AI/AN diabetes rate is 12.6%, 1.8 times national average (UIHI 2019)
21
Diabetes is the 5th leading cause of death for AI/AN, with age-adjusted rate 2.1 times whites
22
In Montana, AI/AN diabetes mortality is 58.3 per 100,000 vs 20.1 whites (2018)
23
AI/AN adults report physical inactivity 1.5 times higher among diabetics (50% vs 33%)
24
Diabetic ketoacidosis hospitalization rates 4 times higher in AI/AN youth
25
In New Mexico, Pueblo Indians have 25% diabetes prevalence
26
AI/AN diabetes patients have 30% lower statin use for cholesterol control
27
From 2014-2018, AI/AN diabetes death rate increased 12%, vs 5% decline nationally
28
AI/AN women with diabetes have 3.2 times higher preeclampsia risk
29
In California, AI/AN diabetes prevalence 13.2% vs 8.9% whites (2019)
30
AI/AN have 2.8 times higher prevalence of diabetic neuropathy
Interpretation
Diabetes Interpretation
For Native Americans, diabetes is a clear, disproportionate burden, with prevalence at 14.5% in 2018 for American Indians and Alaska Natives compared with 7.1% for non-Native people and even higher levels in specific places like 19.2% in Arizona in 2019.
More related reading
04 · Category
Infectious Diseases27 stats
01
Tuberculosus incidence in AI/AN 3.3 times U.S. rate (3.9 vs 1.2 per 100,000, 2020)
02
COVID-19 death rate for AI/AN 2.1 times whites (254 vs 121 per 100,000, 2021)
03
Hepatitis C prevalence 2.5% in AI/AN vs 1.0% whites (2015-2018)
04
HIV diagnosis rate 1.3 times national average (8.1 per 100,000)
05
Pneumococcal pneumonia hospitalization 2x higher in AI/AN (2018)
06
Influenza mortality 1.7x whites during 2018-2019 season
07
Chlamydia rates in AI/AN women 3.8x whites (1,098 vs 289 per 100,000, 2021)
08
Gonorrhea incidence 4.5 times higher (652 vs 145 per 100,000)
09
In Alaska Natives, pertussis outbreaks 10x national
10
Syphilis rates 3.2x whites (42 vs 13 per 100,000, 2021)
11
Lower respiratory infections death rate 1.4x higher (48 per 100,000)
12
Hepatitis A outbreaks in AI/AN communities 5x impact (2016-2020)
13
MRSA skin infections 2x prevalence in AI/AN (2019)
14
In Navajo Nation, COVID positivity 35% higher (2020)
15
Infant pertussis mortality 4x U.S. average in AI/AN
16
Chronic hepatitis B 2.2% carrier rate in high-risk tribes
17
Invasive Hib disease 3x higher pre-vaccine, persists in under-vaccinated areas
18
In Montana reservations, TB rate 15 per 100,000 vs 0.5 state
19
COVID vaccination hesitancy 40% in AI/AN vs 20% whites initially
20
Sepsis hospitalization from infections 1.8x higher
21
HPV prevalence 25% in AI/AN young adults vs 15% whites
22
In urban AI/AN, STI rates 2.5x national (UIHI 2022)
23
Meningococcal disease outbreaks 3x in AI/AN dorms
24
Chronic viral hepatitis deaths 2x whites (2018)
25
Respiratory syncytial virus hospitalization in AI/AN infants 2.2x
26
In Southwest, Valley fever rates 5x non-Native
27
Post-COVID long hauler symptoms 50% in AI/AN hospitalized
Interpretation
Infectious Diseases Interpretation
Across infectious diseases, Native Americans and Alaska Natives face consistently higher burdens, from tuberculosis at 3.3 times the U.S. rate to COVID-19 deaths at 2.1 times those of whites, showing a clear pattern of disproportionate impact in these illnesses.
05 · Category
Mental Health28 stats
01
AI/AN suicide rate is 3.5 times the national average (16.1 per 100,000 in 2019)
02
AI/AN youth suicide death rate 2.5 times whites (10.1 vs 4.0 per 100,000, ages 10-24)
03
22% of AI/AN adults report serious psychological distress vs 4% whites (2019 NSDUH)
04
PTSD prevalence 15% in AI/AN veterans, 2x non-Native vets
05
Depression rates 17.5% in AI/AN vs 6.6% whites (BRFSS 2018)
06
AI/AN have highest suicide attempt rate (2.7%) among U.S. ethnic groups (ages 18+)
07
In Alaska Native youth, suicide cluster rates reached 50 per 100,000 in some villages
08
40% of AI/AN report frequent mental health distress (14+ days/month)
09
Urban AI/AN anxiety disorder prevalence 28% vs 18% national (UIHI)
10
AI/AN women suicide rate 5.6 per 100,000, 3.4x white women
11
Only 17% of AI/AN with mental illness receive treatment vs 46% whites
12
Bipolar disorder diagnosis 2x higher in AI/AN (4.2% vs 2.1%)
13
In Navajo Nation, suicide ideations 25% among high schoolers
14
AI/AN elderly depression 12% vs 7% whites, with higher suicide risk
15
Schizophrenia prevalence 1.5% in AI/AN, undertreated
16
Mental health hospitalization rates 2x higher but shorter stays in AI/AN
17
AI/AN opioid misuse with mental illness 45% comorbidity
18
Youth suicide prevention gaps: 60% of AI/AN schools lack counselors
19
In South Dakota tribes, suicide rate 4x state average (42 per 100,000)
20
AI/AN LGBTQ+ youth suicide attempt 40% vs 20% non-Native
21
Historical trauma correlates with 30% higher PTSD in AI/AN
22
Telepsychiatry access only 10% in rural AI/AN areas
23
AI/AN overdose deaths with mental health dx 3x whites
24
Seasonal affective disorder 25% in Alaska Natives
25
AI/AN children ADHD diagnosis 14%, treatment 60% gap
26
Suicide by firearm 50% of AI/AN suicides, highest method
27
Alcohol use disorder 15% in AI/AN with depression comorbidity
28
AI/AN veterans PTSD suicide risk 4x general population
Interpretation
Mental Health Interpretation
For Native Americans and Alaska Natives, mental health disparities are stark, with a suicide rate 3.5 times the national average in 2019 and serious psychological distress affecting 22% of adults compared with 4% among whites, showing a clear pattern of elevated risk across multiple mental health indicators.
report visual · Key figures
Native American health disparities: gaps in prevention, treatment, and outcomes
Across major conditions, AI/AN communities experience higher disease burden, lower screening/treatment, and worse outcomes compared with whites and national benchmarks.
52%
Colorectal screening rates 52% in AI/AN vs 68% whites (2020)
17%
Only 17% of AI/AN with mental illness receive treatment vs 46% whites
54%
AI/AN 5-year cancer survival 54% vs 67% whites
12%
From 2014-2018, AI/AN diabetes death rate increased 12%, vs 5% decline nationally
3.2
AI/AN women with diabetes have 3.2 times higher preeclampsia risk
100,000
AI/AN youth suicide death rate 2.5 times whites (10.1 vs 4.0 per 100,000, ages 10-24)
Reference
Cite This Report
This report is designed to be cited. We maintain stable URLs and versioned verification dates. Copy the format appropriate for your publication below.
APA
Elena Vasquez. (2026, February 13). Native American Health Disparities Statistics. Gitnux. https://gitnux.org/native-american-health-disparities-statistics
MLA
Elena Vasquez. "Native American Health Disparities Statistics." Gitnux, 13 Feb 2026, https://gitnux.org/native-american-health-disparities-statistics.
Chicago
Elena Vasquez. 2026. "Native American Health Disparities Statistics." Gitnux. https://gitnux.org/native-american-health-disparities-statistics.
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