NorthLakes Raises $100,000 For Health Care Scholarships For Native Americans
Healthcare for Native Americans lags behind that of other groups, despite the U.S. government’s legal duty to provide health care to Alaska Natives and American Indians - as reported by the American Bar. This has led to a vast difference in health outcomes, with these groups having a life expectancy of 4.4 - less than the ‘all races population’ of the United States. One way to overcome health disparities is to include more Alaskan Native and American Indians in health care. Doing so is an important way to raise community awareness, encourage doctor visits, and motivate communities to adopt healthy, active lifestyles and to consume healthy meals. The NorthLakes Community Clinic has taken a big leap in this respect, having raised $100,000 for scholarships for Native Americans wishing to enter healthcare professions.
Reaching For Higher Ground
The NorthLakes Community Clinic originally set itself the goal of raising $25,000, yet, upon hitting this target earlier than expected, it decided to set a higher goal. The current amount raised will enable it to award a scholarship to an enrolled member from one of eight tribes covered by the clinic. These include members of Forest County Potawatomi, Bad River, St. Croix Chippewa Indians of Wisconsin, the Menominee Indian Tribe of Wisconsin, Lac Courte Oreilles, Lac Du Flambeau and Mole Lake bands of Lake Superior Chippewa, and Red Cliff. The scholarship will cover tuition, room and board, transportation, books, and fees for those wishing to obtain a degree or certificate in a college or technical school.
Prevention Is Better Than Cure
Medicine is a highly homogenous field serving diverse populations. A diverse medical team enables healthcare workers to understand their patients “within a larger context of culture, gender, sexual orientation, religious beliefs, and socioeconomic realities.” American Indians and other minorities can feel more comfortable about being attended to by people who understand these realities, and doing so can help them take a proactive, preventive approach to health. Those who build a good relationship with doctors and nurses can take the steps they need to avoid costly operations and interventions in the long-term.
Critical Health Issues For Native Americans And Alaskan Natives
According to research conducted by the Tribal Oral Health Initiative, diseases of the mouth and access to oral healthcare are amongst the most critical issues for many American Indians and Alaskan Natives. Children aged two to five, for instance, have an average of six decayed teeth. Losing teeth early in life can pose a big problem, and the cost of replacing missing teeth can be prohibitive for many. One implant, for instance, can set a patient back between $3,000 and $6,000. Losing one or more teeth can lead to the loss of bone and other teeth, which is why prevention and regular dental visits are key. One of the biggest reasons for oral health disparities is the fact that over 50% of Native Americans live in ‘dental shortage areas’. In Indian Country, there is only one dentist for every 2,800 people - a clear indication that more dentists are required in these areas.
Understanding The Needs Of American Indians And Alaskan Natives
A few decades ago, the American medical field was dominated almost exclusively by white, male professionals. Today, things have improved significantly (as you can choose from an array of doctors from a more diverse range of backgrounds), but pushes such as scholarships are still required in order to increase the number of American Indians and Alaskan Natives in these professions. In many cases, health disparities are not only caused by a lack of resources or access to doctors, but also to a fear of being attended to by professionals who do not take one’s cultural differences into account.
NorthLakes is a shining example in terms of raising funds for a healthcare education for American Indians. Around $100,00 has been raised to aid those seeking to study in a college or technical school. More healthcare workers from American Indian and Alaskan Native tribes will help boost doctor availability, while also bringing greater diversity to the medical field.