Celebrate Native American Heritage Month 2023
Native American Heritage Month is observed every November in the United States to celebrate the rich and diverse Tribal cultures, traditions, and histories of American Indians and Alaska Natives (AI/AN). The U.S Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) and the HHS Office of Minority Health (OMH) honor the history, culture, and legacy of Tribal nations and Indigenous communities across the United States.
OMH is committed to advancing Better Health Through Better Understanding for AI/AN individuals and communities by ensuring connections to culturally appropriate healthcare services, information, and resources. When patients are provided with culturally and linguistically appropriate information, they are empowered to create healthier outcomes for themselves and their communities.
This Native American Heritage Month, join HHS and OMH as we highlight resources, programs, and events that focus on improving the health of AI/AN communities through native language preservation, culturally respectful care, and collaboration with sovereign Tribal nations.
Get Involved in Native American Heritage Month
Participate in conversations about health equity on social media by tagging @MinorityHealth on X (Twitter), Facebook, and Instagram.
Use this toolkit to spread the word about Native American Heritage Month.
Use the OMH Knowledge Center’s reading list focused on health outcomes for AI/AN people.
AI/AN Health Disparities & Resources
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), AI/AN people have the lowest life expectancy compared with other racial and ethnic groups. In 2022, 19% of people who identify as AI/AN alone reported being in fair or poor health – the highest rate compared with other racial and ethnic groups.
The Indian Health Service (IHS) provides federal health services to AI/AN people. Visit the IHS site to find culturally appropriate health services, best practices for serving AI/AN patients, and other resources on AI/AN health.
The AI/AN population continues to have the highest uninsured rate compared to other populations. In 2022, twenty-four percent of AI/AN adults lived without health insurance coverage.
For many, open enrollment in the Health Insurance Marketplace ® begins on November 1, but members of federally recognized Tribes and Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act (ANCSA) Corporation can enroll in a Marketplace plan at any time for health coverage. Visit Healthcare.gov’s Health Coverage for American Indians & Alaska Natives page to learn more about the special resources available to AI/AN communities.
AI/AN people frequently contend with economic and environmental issues (known as social determinants of health) that prevent them from receiving quality medical care. These issues include cultural barriers, racial bias, geographic isolation, inadequate housing, and low income.
This Teacher's Guide, offered through the National Endowment for the Humanities, will introduce you to the cultures and explore the histories of some groups within the over 5 million people who identify as American Indian in the United States, with resources designed for integration across humanities curricula and classrooms throughout the school year.
Visit the White House Initiative on Advancing Educational Equity, Excellence, and Economic Opportunity for Native Americans and Strengthening Tribal Colleges and Universities website to learn how the federal government is advancing educational equity and economic opportunity for AI/AN students, families, and communities.
AI/AN women are experiencing an alarming rate of maternal mortality, with three to four times more likely than white women to die of complications related to pregnancy and/or childbirth.
Most deaths related to pregnancies are preventable, yet AI/AN women are two times more likely to die of pregnancy-related causes than white women.
OMH has partnered with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to address the pregnancy-related complications that disproportionately impact pregnant AI/AN people through the CDC’s Hear Her campaign. Visit the CDC’s website to find personal stories of pregnancy-related complications from American Indian people, resources for healthcare professionals who serve AI/AN people, and more information about the disparities and resilience among AI/AN people.
AI/AN people are 60 percent more likely to report experiencing the feeling that everything is an effort, all or most of the time, compared to non-Hispanic whites.
The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) offers resources focused on addressing AI/AN mental health through its Tribal Training and Technical Assistance Center. Visit SAMHSA’s website to find organizations, articles, and other resources that AI/AN communities can use to promote mental wellness.