Indigenous people, particularly those who live on reservations suffer from health issues related to access to healthy foods and access to health care. A great number of reservation communities have only convenience stores and so are limited to predominantly processed foods. While these foods have good shelf life, they also contribute to obesity and diabetes–two health issues that are epidemic among indigenous people. As for health care, indigenous people have to travel long distances to health clinics and even farther to the few hospitals that operate under IHS. Many Indigenous people are veterans and VA hospitals are even less accessible.
IHS provides many excellent services and projects to serve Native Peoples. But their program could be improved by including the following:
1.) Many more small health clinics that include urgent care, weight loss, and diabetes education as well as drug and alcohol programs. These clinics would be more successful if managed by Indigenous People. Basic services could also be provided to veterans at these clinics and paid for by VA benefit packages.
2.) An Indigenous led campaign against the heavy reliance on fast food and processed food. This would include advocacy at the available markets to carry more fresh produce, meat, and other healthy staples. It would also include health and diet education programs for schools.
3.) Mini grants and micro loans to fund regenerative farming projects, particularly traditional dry farming, that encourage and train the people to grow more of their own healthy food. Again, these initiatives should be organized and run by Indigenous People. U. of Arizona Biosphere program graduates might be recruited to help this project succeed.
Indigenous people need financial support and encouragement to create health initiatives that are culturally appropriate.