Exploring Public Health’s Role in Addressing Historical Trauma Among U.S. Indigenous Populations

Abstract

Despite decades of often well-intentioned work, public health interventions can fail to achieve desired outcomes within Native American communities. These failures may not be due to a lack of motivation on either side. Rather, they stem from a history of colonization which continues to impact the fundamental structure of public health as well as Native American responses to public health intervention. We purport that there are discrepancies between the tools provided in much of public health’s core training and the reality and needs of work in Indian Country. These discrepancies, including a fundamental lack of knowledge about historical trauma events and the ways their impacts reverberate through communities, families, and individuals, contribute to continued experiences of health disparities by Native Americans. Using narrative, this paper offers examples of this schism and is followed by four actionable steps that individuals working in settler public health institutions can take when approaching work with Native nations and communities.