Native American Health statistics reveal just how wide the gap can be between AI/AN communities and the rest of the country, even for conditions that many people think of as “common.” For example, in 2021 AI/AN adults had an obesity rate of 42.5% compared with 31.6% nationally, while diabetes among adults 18+ sits at 14.5%, 2.3 times the U.S. general population rate of 6.5%. As you move through the full set of data, you also see stark differences in heart, kidney, cancer, infectious disease, and mental health outcomes that help explain why access, prevention, and care timing matter so much.
Key Takeaways
- American Indians and Alaska Natives (AI/AN) have a diabetes prevalence rate of 14.5% among adults aged 18+, which is 2.3 times higher than the U.S. general population rate of 6.5%
- In 2019, AI/AN adults had a heart disease mortality rate of 200.9 per 100,000, 1.7 times higher than the white population's 118.5 per 100,000
- AI/AN people experience kidney failure at 3.5 times the rate of the general U.S. population, with an incidence of 224 per million versus 64 per million in 2020
- Only 45% of AI/AN have health insurance vs 92% U.S. adults per 2022 ACS
- IHS per capita spending is $4,078 vs $13,000 Medicare in 2021
- 23% of AI/AN report cost barrier to care vs 10% national per 2021 NHIS
- HIV incidence among AI/AN is 5.7 per 100,000 in 2021, lower but higher late diagnosis at 45% vs 37% national
- Tuberculosis case rate in AI/AN is 5.2 per 100,000 in 2022, 4x general U.S. rate of 2.4
- COVID-19 death rate per 100k for AI/AN was 368 in 2020-2021, 2.1x Hispanic rate
- AI/AN adults report 28.4% with diagnosed depression, versus 20.1% U.S. average per 2021 NSDUH
- Suicide rate among AI/AN aged 10-34 is 33.1 per 100,000, 3.5 times the U.S. rate of 9.5 in 2021
- 25.7% of AI/AN adults experienced serious psychological distress in past month, vs 5.4% nationally per 2020 NSDUH
- Alcohol use disorder affects 15.8% of AI/AN adults past year, 1.5 times national 10.5% per 2021 NSDUH
- AI/AN have opioid overdose death rate of 65.2 per 100,000 in 2021, highest among races at 3.5x white rate
- 28.6% of AI/AN youth aged 12-17 binge drank in past month, vs 13.8% national per 2020 NSDUH
Native Americans and Alaska Natives face higher diabetes and mental health burdens, alongside major care access gaps.
Related reading
01 · Category
Chronic Diseases19 stats
01
American Indians and Alaska Natives (AI/AN) have a diabetes prevalence rate of 14.5% among adults aged 18+, which is 2.3 times higher than the U.S. general population rate of 6.5%
02
In 2019, AI/AN adults had a heart disease mortality rate of 200.9 per 100,000, 1.7 times higher than the white population's 118.5 per 100,000
03
AI/AN people experience kidney failure at 3.5 times the rate of the general U.S. population, with an incidence of 224 per million versus 64 per million in 2020
04
Obesity rates among AI/AN adults stand at 42.5%, compared to 31.6% in the general U.S. population in 2021 NHANES data
05
AI/AN have a stroke mortality rate of 52.9 per 100,000, 1.5 times higher than non-Hispanic whites at 36.2 per 100,000 in 2018-2020
06
Arthritis prevalence in AI/AN adults is 23.4%, higher than the national average of 17.6% per 2022 BRFSS data
07
AI/AN cancer incidence rate is 432.3 per 100,000, with mortality at 160.4 per 100,000 versus U.S. all races 446.3 and 146.8 in 2020
08
Hypertension affects 35.2% of AI/AN adults, compared to 30.1% nationally per 2019-2020 NHANES
09
COPD death rate among AI/AN is 47.3 per 100,000, 1.4 times the white rate of 33.6 in 2021
10
AI/AN youth aged 12-17 have 18.8% asthma prevalence, higher than 13.2% national average per 2021 NSCH
11
Liver disease mortality in AI/AN is 39.2 per 100,000, 2.1 times higher than whites at 18.7 in 2019
12
AI/AN adults diabetes prevalence 14.7% in Southwest tribes like Navajo per IHS 2022
13
Heart disease death rate 245 per 100,000 in AI/AN Alaska Natives 2019
14
End-stage renal disease incidence 450 per million in AI/AN Pima tribe vs 370 national 2020
15
Obesity in AI/AN children 2-5 yo 15.4% vs 13.9% national NHANES 2019
16
Cerebrovascular disease mortality 65.2 per 100,000 AI/AN 2018-2020 NVSS
17
Colorectal cancer screening 52.3% in AI/AN 50-75 yo vs 67.3% national 2021 NHIS
18
Chronic lower respiratory disease death 55.4 per 100k AI/AN 2021
19
Cirrhosis mortality 28.5 per 100k AI/AN men 2019
Interpretation
Chronic Diseases Interpretation
This isn't a series of unfortunate statistics; it’s the glaring billboard of a broken system, where every number reads like an overdue invoice for historical debt and ongoing neglect.
02 · Category
Healthcare Access20 stats
01
Only 45% of AI/AN have health insurance vs 92% U.S. adults per 2022 ACS
02
IHS per capita spending is $4,078vs $13,000 Medicare in 2021
03
23% of AI/AN report cost barrier to care vs 10% national per 2021 NHIS
04
AI/AN travel 80+ miles for care 30% of time vs 10% rural U.S. per UAHI 2022
05
Dental care unmet needs in AI/AN adults 34% vs 12% national per 2020 BRFSS
06
28% of AI/AN delayed medical care due to transportation vs 4% U.S. per 2019-2020 MEPS
07
IHS facilities have 1 primary care provider per 2,500 users vs 1:1,500 national standard in 2023
08
Telehealth use in AI/AN increased 300% but still only 25% of visits in 2022 per IHS
09
AI/AN infant mortality rate is 9.1 per 1,000 live births, 1.7x national 5.4 in 2021
10
Low birthweight in AI/AN is 8.2% vs 8.5% national but higher preterm at 11.5% per 2021 NVSR
11
Maternal mortality ratio for AI/AN is 32.0 per 100,000 live births 2018-2021, 3x white rate
12
AI/AN women prenatal care first trimester 72% vs 83% national per 2021 PRAMS
13
Childhood obesity in AI/AN 6-11 yo is 23.1% vs 19.7% national per 2017-2020 NHANES
14
AI/AN teen birth rate 25.4 per 1,000 females 15-19 vs 16.7 national 2021
15
Diabetes in AI/AN pregnant women 10.5% vs 7.2% U.S. per 2020 birth data
16
Primary care physician shortage in IHS areas 60% vacancy 2023
17
Emergency department wait times 4.2 hours AI/AN facilities vs 2.5 national 2022
18
Behavioral health provider ratio 1:5,000 AI/AN vs 1:380 national
19
Pharmacy access limited, 25% IHS sites no pharmacist 2022
20
AI/AN elder care home visits only 15% coverage per tribe reports
Interpretation
Healthcare Access Interpretation
The statistics paint a stark picture: to be Native American in the U.S. healthcare system is to navigate a labyrinth of underfunded clinics, distant care, and unmet needs, where your health outcomes are too often a grim negotiation between policy neglect and geographic isolation.
03 · Category
Infectious Diseases15 stats
01
HIV incidence among AI/AN is 5.7 per 100,000 in 2021, lower but higher late diagnosis at 45% vs 37% national
02
Tuberculosis case rate in AI/AN is 5.2 per 100,000 in 2022, 4x general U.S. rate of 2.4
03
COVID-19 death rate per 100k for AI/AN was 368 in 2020-2021, 2.1x Hispanic rate
04
Hepatitis C prevalence in AI/AN is 1.2%, with high mortality 4.5 per 100k vs 1.8 national in 2021
05
Chlamydia rates in AI/AN females 15-24 is 4,500 per 100k, highest racial group per 2021 CDC STD
06
Gonorrhea incidence in AI/AN is 652 per 100k in 2021, 5x white rate of 128
07
Syphilis congenital rate in AI/AN is 450 per 100k live births 2021, 6x national average
08
HPV vaccination coverage in AI/AN adolescents is 54.2% complete series vs 59.3% national per NIS-Teen 2021
09
Influenza hospitalization rate for AI/AN 2019-2020 was 25.4 per 100k, higher risk group per CDC FluView
10
Hepatitis A incidence in AI/AN peaked at 15 per 100k in 2019 outbreak areas
11
Pneumococcal pneumonia hospitalization AI/AN children 65 per 100k vs 12 national pre-vaccine
12
COVID-19 hospitalization rate 2x higher AI/AN 65+ in 2022
13
Gonorrhea rates 1,200 per 100k AI/AN Alaska 2021
14
HPV-associated cancer incidence 15.2 per 100k AI/AN women
15
Hantavirus pulmonary syndrome case fatality 38% in AI/AN Southwest
Interpretation
Infectious Diseases Interpretation
These stark health statistics reveal a grim paradox where, despite a lower HIV incidence, Native American communities face a perfect storm of disproportionate late diagnoses, soaring infectious disease rates, and higher mortality—a clear indictment of systemic failures in prevention, care, and public health investment.
More related reading
04 · Category
Mental Health17 stats
01
AI/AN adults report 28.4% with diagnosed depression, versus 20.1% U.S. average per 2021 NSDUH
02
Suicide rate among AI/AN aged 10-34 is 33.1 per 100,000, 3.5 times the U.S. rate of 9.5 in 2021
03
25.7% of AI/AN adults experienced serious psychological distress in past month, vs 5.4% nationally per 2020 NSDUH
04
PTSD prevalence in AI/AN adults is estimated at 15.2%, higher than 6.8% in general population per NVSR
05
AI/AN youth suicide attempt rate is 16.2% in past year for grades 9-12, vs 8.9% national per 2021 YRBS
06
22.1% of AI/AN adults have any mental illness, compared to 21.6% U.S. but with higher severity per 2019 NSDUH
07
Anxiety disorders affect 12.4% of AI/AN adults annually, vs 9.6% nationally per NCS-A
08
AI/AN veterans have 24.5% PTSD rate, higher than 13.5% overall veterans per NVVLS 2021
09
Bipolar disorder lifetime prevalence in AI/AN is 4.2%, similar but undertreated vs 2.8% U.S. per NESARC
10
Schizophrenia prevalence in AI/AN is 1.3%, with disparities in access per 2020 ECA data
11
AI/AN adults major depressive episode past year 9.5% vs 7.1% national NSDUH 2021
12
AI/AN suicide rate 25.1 per 100k overall 2021, 2.3x national 14.1
13
Serious mental illness in AI/AN adults 7.2% past year NSDUH 2020
14
Lifetime PTSD in AI/AN women 18.5% vs 9.7% men per AI-SUPERPFP study
15
Any anxiety disorder past year 18.9% AI/AN adults estimated
16
Bipolar I disorder 12-month prevalence 1.8% AI/AN per NESARC-III
17
Schizophrenia spectrum disorders 1.1% lifetime AI/AN
Interpretation
Mental Health Interpretation
The statistics paint a grim and relentless portrait: for Native communities, mental health isn't just an individual struggle, but the accumulated echo of historical trauma, systemic neglect, and ongoing inequity shouting back in the language of crisis.
05 · Category
Substance Abuse13 stats
01
Alcohol use disorder affects 15.8% of AI/AN adults past year, 1.5 times national 10.5% per 2021 NSDUH
02
AI/AN have opioid overdose death rate of 65.2 per 100,000 in 2021, highest among races at 3.5x white rate
03
28.6% of AI/AN youth aged 12-17 binge drank in past month, vs 13.8% national per 2020 NSDUH
04
Methamphetamine use past year among AI/AN adults is 2.7%, higher than 0.9% U.S. average per NSDUH 2021
05
AI/AN illicit drug use past month is 25.4% for adults, vs 17.9% nationally per 2021 NSDUH
06
Tobacco use daily among AI/AN adults is 28.4%, 1.4x national 19.7% per 2021 NHIS
07
AI/AN have highest rate of marijuana use disorder at 4.2% past year vs 2.8% U.S. per NSDUH
08
Prescription opioid misuse past year in AI/AN youth 12-17 is 9.1%, double national 4.5% per NSDUH 2020
09
Heroin use past year among AI/AN adults 1.8%, vs 0.3% national per 2021 NSDUH
10
Fentanyl-involved deaths 40 per 100k AI/AN 2022 provisional
11
Binge drinking 30-day past 25.1% AI/AN adults 18+ NSDUH 2021
12
Alcohol dependence/abuse 12.7% AI/AN lifetime
13
Polysubstance use 15% AI/AN treatment admissions SAMHSA 2021
Interpretation
Substance Abuse Interpretation
These statistics paint a grim and unacceptable portrait of a healthcare crisis in Indian Country, where the trauma of historical and ongoing injustice manifests not in abstract terms, but in the devastatingly concrete realities of addiction and loss.
Reference
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APA
Helena Kowalczyk. (2026, February 13). Native American Health Statistics. Gitnux. https://gitnux.org/native-american-health-statistics
MLA
Helena Kowalczyk. "Native American Health Statistics." Gitnux, 13 Feb 2026, https://gitnux.org/native-american-health-statistics.
Chicago
Helena Kowalczyk. 2026. "Native American Health Statistics." Gitnux. https://gitnux.org/native-american-health-statistics.
Sources & references
21 datasets cited across this report · attribution is report-level