STUDIES
A Special Report Series by
THE STATE CENTER FOR HEALTH AND ENVIRONMENTAL STATISTICS
P.O. Box 29538, Raleigh, N.C 27626-0538
No. 75 August 1993
HEALTH STATUS OF NATIVE AMERICANS
IN NORTH CAROLINA
ABSTRACT
Generally, the health of North Carolina's Native American population appears better than that of
Blacks but worse than that of Whites. However, compared to both Whites and Blacks, the Native American
population has experienced low abortion utilization (in total and for teenagers) and excesses in low
maternal education, maternal smoking, and birth defects (especially musculoskeletal defects and
hypospadias). In addition, Indian mothers in the reservation counties (Graham, Jackson, and Swain) are
shown to experience excesses in young maternal age, death of a previous livebom infant, diabetes,
hypertension, and Cesarean section.
The state's Native American median age at death is particularly low for non-motor- vehicle uninten¬
tional injuries, liver disease/cirrhosis, and suicide. Disproportionate mortality at ages 1-24 and from
diabetes and motor-vehicle-injuries is observed. Also, compared to others, the state's Native American
decedents are more likely to be Dead on Arrival, to die as hospital outpatients, to have death certified by
a medical examiner, and to be autopsied.
Compared to the Year 2000 national health objectives for Native Americans, the state's Native
American population is experiencing a much lower proportion of prenatal care in the first trimester and
excesses in infant mortality, diabetes-related mortality, homicide, and the tuberculosis case rate.
This study points out the need for oversampling of Native Americans in sample surveys, the collection
of race in hospital discharge reporting, and more accurate reporting of race in general
NORTH CAROLINA DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENT. HEALTH, AND NATURAL RESOURCES
