Premium Essay

Smoking in Native Americans

In:

Submitted By athorn34
Words 1325
Pages 6
Smoking Disease in Native Americans

Smoking Disease in Native Americans
Smoking cigarettes is a very dangerous habit and according to the American Psychological Association (APA) is highly addictive. Because smoking is such an addictive habit most people consider it a disease on its own. Although this is a universal known fact, people still choose to smoke. “Nicotine is the ingredient in cigarettes that causes addiction. Smokers not only become physically addicted to nicotine; they also link smoking with many social activities, making smoking an, extremely difficult addiction to break” (The American Lung Association, 2011). Smoking is also related to many health problems especially respiratory diseases such as lung cancer and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). They also relate smoking with relaxation and as a stress reliever, but there is nothing positive about this nasty habit. Even though some say smoking helps them to relax, they need to stop smoking for their health because smoking is the cause of many health problems. According to the Center for Disease Control (CDC), “the percentage of American adults who smoke decreased from 20.9 percent in 2005 to 19.3 percent in 2010. That translates to three million fewer smokers than there would have been with no decline. But almost one in five adults still smoke” (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 2011. P. 1). Based on a national health survey conducted in 2010 of the three million of American adults who smoke, more than 31 percent of them are American Indian or Alaskan Natives (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 2011. P.3). Two of the leading causes of death among American Indians are cardiovascular disease and cancer.
Education is a factor that contributes to American Indians being vulnerable to these diseases. Because most American Indians still live on

Similar Documents

Free Essay

Health Studies

...epidemiological data to support your description. The group I am going to focus is Native American a segment of the population which includes American Indians, Alaska’s indigenous populations, and Native Hawaiians. They are extremely at risk at tobacco smoking .The rate of Tabaco smoking is extremely high in that group than many other cultural groups. According to lung cancer alliance organisation, leading diseases causes of death for Native Americans in 2006 are the disease that are usually caused from smoking such as Chronic Lower Respiratory Diseases, lung cancer, heart attack, asthma, kidney cancer, liver cancer and diabetes . When an individual in the community smoke, people around them are also affected because when someone smoke , people near that person can easily pick up smoke as well which may lead to respiratory problem from hailing all that smoke. FIGURE. Lung cancer incidence,* by race/ethnicity and and U.S. census region - c --United States, 1998--200 2. Discuss the influence of cultural traditions and habits within the group that contribute to the health issue. High rate of tobacco smoking in Native Americans is mostly influenced by their cultural traditions and habits such as:- ...

Words: 1149 - Pages: 5

Premium Essay

Health Promotion Among Diverse Population

...physical well being, the health of most Americans has increasingly improved. However, the same cannot be said of the health of American Indians and Alaskan Natives. Health improvements for American Indians and Alaska Natives have not improved, with health disparities still existing in areas such as:  infant mortality, chronic diseases such as cardiovascular disease, diabetes, asthma, obesity, cirrhosis and liver disease, arthritis, smoking, and cancer (Indian Health, n.d.). According to the 2000 Census, there are 4.1 million Native Americans/Alaskan Indians in the United States (U.S Census Bureau, 2000). Historically, Native Americans have lived in extreme poverty. The U.S. Census reported in both 1990 and 2000 that poverty still prevails in Native American populations throughout the nation, accounting for 25% of the nation (Selected Population, 2012). There are known health disparities between the Native American population and the rest of the U.S. Some of these disparities exist due to geographic isolation, cultural barriers and economic factors. Health care experts, policymakers and tribal leaders are trying to account for the many factors that impact the health of Indian people (The Health Care Challenge, 1999). Native American males are found to have the quickest dying rate of most citizens in the U.S., with life expectancy of 71 years of age, 6 years younger than the life expectancy of white males. Female Native Americans are trending about the same; 20% increase...

Words: 1142 - Pages: 5

Premium Essay

American Indian and Alaska Native Populations: How They Fair vs the National Average

...American Indian and Alaska Native Populations: How They Fair vs. the National Average Kari L. Singer Grand Canyon University: NRS- March 1, 2015 American Indian and Alaska Native Populations: How They Fair vs. the National Average There are many different ethnicities and cultures in the United States. This paper will be comparing American Indians and Alaska Natives health to that of the national average. We will be looking at the current health status of this ethnic group compared to the national average, their definition of Health Promotion, three health disparities affecting this ethnic group, and finally we will see an example of a program that promotes health prevention. Current Health Status of American Indians and Alaska Natives The American Indian and Alaska Native populations make up about 2% of the total U.S. population, numbering roughly 5.2 million, according to the 2013 census. American Indians and Alaska Natives (AI/AN), differ from the national average in culture, socioeconomic status, and education. The percentage of AI/AN’s who lacked health insurance in 2013 was 26.9% compared to the 16.6% of the national average (CDC, 2015). They have limited access to employer-sponsored health coverage due to working in low wage jobs and jobs that don’t offer insurance (Artiga, et. al., 2013). AI/AN have the highest poverty rate of all ethnic groups at 0.9% to 1.5% of the total population. This group is more likely to report being in fair or poor health. When comparing...

Words: 1380 - Pages: 6

Premium Essay

Substance Abuse

...Student’s Name Professor Course Code Date Psychology Drug Abuse Introduction The aim of this research paper is to discuss contributions offered by anthropology especially, ethnography in the study of addiction and recovery basing arguments from the book, ‘Anthropology of Addiction and Recovery’. The paper further lists the criteria for substance use disorder and thereafter gives an explanation to the negative impacts of alcohol on Native American nations. Finally, the paper will show detailed information on how specific cultural knowledge was used to market cigarettes. Four specific contributions that anthropology, especially ethnography, has offered in the study of addiction and recovery. Ethnography is the study of people, culture and how the environmental and cultural factors affect values and behaviors of a person or groups of people in a social setup. A study of ethnography conducted outside United States of America reveals that the number of drug ethnographies has grown steadily since 1960s because many social issues are associated with drug use. Ethnography illustrates that drug use is not one phenomenon, but many since specific drug is used in specific situations. According to Glasser (2012), Ethnography clarifies the different implications of alcohol, tobacco, and other drugs in the life of an individual. According to Glasser, Ethnography also explains the psychological and physiological implications of the use of such drugs. Ethnography further indicates...

Words: 919 - Pages: 4

Free Essay

Health Promotion Among Diverse Populations

...Health Promotion in American Indians/Alaska Natives Mona Reed Grand Canyon University: NRS-429V August 02, 2015 Health Promotion in American Indians/Alaska Natives American Indians/Alaska Natives (AI/AN) are people who maintain a tribal or community attachment and are descendants from any of the original inhabitants of North, South and Central America. The U.S. Census Bureau, in 2013, reported that there are greater than 5.2 million AI/AN in the United States, and that number is expected to increase to 11.2 million by 2060 (CDC, 2015a). AI/ANs have experienced a lower health status when compared to the national average of the non-Hispanic white population. The Indian Health Service (IHS), who provides health care services to those who reside on reservations, reports that this is due to inadequate education, discrimination in delivery of health services, disproportionate poverty and cultural differences. Also noted is that less than half of “AI/ANs permanently reside on a reservation and therefore have limited or no access to IHS services” (Indian Health Service, 2015a). In addition, the CDC reported in 2013 that 26.9% of AI/ANs lacked health insurance coverage. This writer will compare and contrast the health status of the AI/AN population with the non-Hispanic White population. Health disparities in the AI/AN population are well documented in research. The Office of Minority Health (OMH) Health Disparities Overview notes that this population suffers from low education...

Words: 1705 - Pages: 7

Premium Essay

My Paper

...Smoking and Lung Cancer Ramon Gaetan, Kimberley Martinez, Anthony Paige, Mirany Legaspi, Annabelle Fohne HCS/330 December 06, 2010 Peter Mabrey Smoking and Lung Cancer Every year an estimated 392,000 people die from smoking -related diseases such as Lung cancer and another estimated 50,000 people die from secondhand smoke each year. Smoking is the number one preventable death within the United States. Of adults who have ever smoked most started at the age of 21 years old or younger. Smoking is directly responsible for over 90% of all lung cancer deaths (American Lung Association, 2010). The goal of this paper is to provide an analysis of lung cancer, which directly relates to smoking. Included in the analysis is an introduction of the disease, disease history, lung cancer etiology, affected populations, and possible treatments if any. By providing this information, one will understand why it is important to keep the younger generations from smoking and encouraging those who already smoke to quit, saving their lives and those around them from this unnecessary death known as lung cancer. When introducing lung disease one needs to know the emphasis from abstaining or acquiring help to quit smoking, which would greatly reduce the chances for someone to be affected by this deadly disease. Lung cancer is diagnosed by the results of abnormal cell growth in one or both lungs. This abnormal cell...

Words: 1190 - Pages: 5

Premium Essay

Health

...Health Disparities in the African American Cultures Grand Canyon University February 14, 2016 Health Disparities in the African American Culture Health care disparities affect every group of ethnic minorities. These groups include African Americans, Hispanics/Latinos, Asian Americans, Pacific Islanders, Native Hawaiian, American Indian/Alaskan Natives or multiracial people. Racial and ethnic disparities are one of the many factors that produce inequalities in the health status of an individual in the United States. Whether it is caused by the quality of care, assess to care or insurance coverage. All cause problems for these cultures. In the 2000 census, 36.4 million persons, approximately 12.9% of the U.S. population, identified themselves as Black or African American; 35.4 million of these persons identified themselves as non-Hispanic (cdc, 2012). In 2007, the U.S. Census Bureau estimated that the United States had almost 38.8 million Black or African American (12.9% of the U.S. population); more than 45.5 million Hispanics or Latinos (15.1%); almost 13.4 million Asians (4.4%); more than 0.5 million Native Hawaiians or Other Pacific Islanders (NHOPIs) (0.2%) and more than 2.9 million American Indians and Alaskan Natives (AI/ANS) (1.0%) of whom 57% reside on federal trust lands (archive. ahrq,2014). African Americans by both censuses only make up 12.9% of the U.S. population but suffer ethnic and racial disparities at a high rate. This may be due to the lack of...

Words: 1037 - Pages: 5

Premium Essay

Health Among American Indians and Alaskan Natives

...Health Among American Indians and Alaskan Natives Shelley Thornton Grand Canyon University Family Centered Health Promotion NRS-429V Minerva Gonzales December 06, 2015 Health Among American Indians and Alaskan Natives When compared to the National average inequality and the persistent challenges that American Indians and Alaska Natives face are troubling. Demographics and economy along with poor health standards, drug and alcohol use and disproportionate disease burden exist due to inadequate education, high rates of unemployment, discrimination in the delivery of health care and cultural differences. In this paper we will explore Native Americans current health status and the barriers that influence health in their culture, socioeconomic and sociopolitical groups along with how race, ethnicity and education influence health and address current health status in addition to how they define health promotion and what health disparities exist. American Indians and Alaska Natives are people that have origins in the North, South and Central America that maintain tribal affiliation or community attachment. “There are 562 federally recognized tribes in the US, including 223 village groups in Alaska; about 100 other tribes are recognized by individual states. There are also tribes that have existed since this country was formed but do not have federal or state recognition” ("American Indians," p. 2). Per records from “2012 there were estimated 5.2 million people” ("Profile...

Words: 1506 - Pages: 7

Free Essay

Heritage Assessment

...health restoration. Each culture offers a different set of traditions and beliefs that contribute to the health care practices they participate in and how the traditions of that heritage are incorporated into the health practices present in the United States. The three families that were interviewed using the Heritage Assessment Tool were families from Native American Indian ancestry, Mexican ancestry, and Portuguese ancestry. All three families were born and raised in the United States, but their ancestors were from other countries, except the Native American family. Although these families were born and raised in the United States, they still carried on some of the traditions from their ancestors. There are many similarities within the three cultures above. All three cultures are family oriented, family is considered to be very important and family gatherings to celebrate holidays and rituals are huge gatherings that involve all the relatives old and young. It is common for these cultures to have large families; it is not unusual to have more than just the immediate family living in the home. In Mexican, Portuguese, and American Indian households, other family members also live in the same household. All three cultures also have many differences, such as difference in traditional foods, religious practices, and health traditions. It is important to assess these differences and utilize cultural awareness and competency in order to provide quality health care. Therefore, their...

Words: 2293 - Pages: 10

Free Essay

Health Promotion Among Diverse Populations

...Health Promotion Among Diverse Populations “Native Hawaiians/Pacific Islanders have higher rates of smoking, alcohol consumption, and obesity than other minority populations.” (CDC, 2013). This is just one of many examples of how minority groups differ, and how health and health promotion/prevention vary from Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islanders (NHPI) to the major population. Race, ethnicity, socioeconomic status, and education have a major impact on the NHPI group. The most current data available, paints a picture of poor health choices and many health disparities. With the NHPI group having higher death rates related to cancer in comparison to non-Hispanic whites (CDC, 2013). As previously stated, the NHPI group has poor health promotion, as they are the minority group with the highest smoking, alcohol consumption, and obesity rates (CDC, 2013). The full-blooded Hawaiian people known as Kanaka Maoli, are estimated to be completely gone by year 2043 as a result of having “the worst health and socioeconomic indicators in Hawaii” (Louie, 2001). One health indicator is the prevalence of cancer in comparison to all US racial and ethnic groups. There are estimated 111 per 100,000 women with breast cancer in the Kanaka Maoli as compared to 86 per 100,000 for white women (Louie, 2001). Prior to the 1700’s, the Hawaiian natives believed in “ka mauli o k’aina a he mauli kanasa.” Which is a Hawaiian saying that pertains to protecting and maintaining the land directly effects the health...

Words: 948 - Pages: 4

Free Essay

Minority Group

...University Minority Group The minority group that I chose was Native Hawaiian or other Pacific Islander. The health for this group of people is not the greatest. They have higher mortality rates among many of the major diseases and they also have a high percentage of people that are below the poverty line as well as those that are not college graduates. (CDC, 2013) When it comes to promoting health in this group there are different ways to approach it when dealing with this minority group. One of the things that we need to do is make sure that they can have access to quality and that we use the health promotion model to provide primary, secondary, and tertiary care when it comes to making sure that this minority group gets to be at their optimal health. When it comes to the current health status of this group it is not the best. When looking at the statistics of this group they have a higher mortality rate in many of the major diseases. They also have a higher percentage of people who live below the poverty line and are not college educated. Also they are one of least likely to be employed at the management level position. When I was looking at the center for disease controls website a few of the biggest killers for people of this minority group were cancer, heart disease, stroke, and obesity. (CDC, 2013) I know these are major issues for a fact in this minority group. Many of my friends during high school were native Hawaiians and pacific islanders. When you think of this minority...

Words: 969 - Pages: 4

Premium Essay

Underprivileged Population

...those living in rural areas, the homeless, the mentally ill, the chronically ill and disabled and those with HIV” Shi and Singh, 2015). “In 2010 a questionnaire was made with 15 racial categories that included white, Black, American Indian or...

Words: 1745 - Pages: 7

Premium Essay

Christopher Columbus

...that stated, “He set an example for us all by showing what monumental feats can be accomplished through perseverance and faith” (Robinson). Columbus is most well known for his discovery of the Americas but with this came so much more. From 1492 many accomplishments, discoveries, and plagues had left a mark in history. Following the discovery, the entire world had been influenced from the Columbian Exchange where a new trade route started between the Western and Eastern Hemispheres. From the exchange, the chance to explore new cultures, foods and crops became a major opportunity. Though many people believe Columbus was a hero, there were some negative aspects about his voyages. Native American’s lifestyles changed drastically once the Spanish stepped foot on their territory. African and Native Americans were slaves that were forced to change their religion and culture. Also, the spread of diseases, no one thought existed, disrupted the population all over the world. Christopher Columbus is a controversial figure that impacted Modern World History. Many people debate if he is a hero or a villain. Whether people believe that this impact was positive or negative, Columbus is viewed as the courageous and dedicated explorer who made an impression by his voyages all over the globe. Without Christopher Columbus’s ambitions, the discovery of the Americas and the dedication to keep his settlement there may have never happened. It was difficult for Columbus to start his voyages because...

Words: 3159 - Pages: 13

Free Essay

Psychology of Women

...Health Psychology & the psychology of Gender - Gender makes a difference in the kinds of illness that people experience - Gender makes a difference in the way a disease is diagnosed and treated - Illness is an important part of many women’s experience The health care and health status of women - Biases against women - Women have often been neglected in medicine and in medical research - Gender stereotypes are common in medicine - Medical care provided to women is often irresponsible or inadequate - Physician-patient communication patterns often make women feel relatively powerless Intersectionality and women’s health - Ethnicity - Social Class - Country The Health Care and Health Status of Women - Gender Comparisons in Life Expectancy - Mortality - Gender gap in life expectancy - Why do women live longer? - biological factors - social factors - health care - Gender Comparisons in Overall Health - Morbidity - Longevity - Rape & Abuse - Economic factors - How social class influences US women’s health - Morbidity & Mortality - Quality of Health Care - Health Insurance - Environmental Factors - Poverty - Psychological Factors - Health issues for women in developing countries - Women & girls less likely to receive medical care - Inadequate nutrition and health care (dying during pregnancy of childbirth) - Cardiovascular disease, breast cancer, and other specific health problems - Cardiovascular disease ...

Words: 729 - Pages: 3

Premium Essay

Native American Tobacco

...What is Tobacco? It is a green leaf plant that is grown in warm climates. Native American use smoked tobacco for religious and medical purpose. Smoking cigarettes is the most common form of tobacco used in the United States, young people use it more and more then they think its ok and none wrong with it and they got a lot to learn. Over 4,000 chemicals can be found in tobacco. There are four disadvantages that people need to know about smoking. First, health problems. One reason a lot of people stop smoking is because they health get very bad and they die. They cause lung diseases, cancers. Second, Smell. It can get in your clothes and furniture and hard to come out. Third, family. When you smoke round family, they can cause suffering. They...

Words: 374 - Pages: 2