How Does IHS Relate Administratively to the High Alcoholism Mortality Rate?

Heritability of illicit drug use and transition to dependence in Southwest California Indians

“…Although tribes differ with regard to the use of alcohol and drugs, the US Indian Health Service has cited substance abuse as one of the most urgent health problems facing Native Americans (U.S. Indian Health Service 1977Service , 1982Service , 1997Burns, 1995). It has been reported that several Native American communities have alcohol dependence rates that are four or five times higher than the general US population (Kinzie et al, 1992;Robin et al, 1998;Kunitz et al, 1999;Mitchell et al, 2003;Gilder et al, 2004).…”

Strength Modeling: The Role of Data in Defining Needs and Response for American Indian Substance Users

“…Furthermore, despite a steep overall decline in alcohol use-related mortalities between 1969 to 1990, rates actually increased from 1986 to 1990 (Burns, 1995). In fact, the IHS reports (Burns, 1995) that in 1989 to 1991, the age-adjusted alcoholism mortality rate for AI was 63.0% higher than in the U.S. all races rate.…”

“…Similarly, AI mortality associated with motor vehicle accidents, known to be frequently associated with alcohol misuse, is reported to be three times that of the general population (Berkelman et al, 1985). Furthermore, despite a steep overall decline in alcohol use-related mortalities between 1969 to 1990, rates actually increased from 1986 to 1990 (Burns, 1995). In fact, the IHS reports (Burns, 1995) that in 1989 to 1991, the age-adjusted alcoholism mortality rate for AI was 63.0% higher than in the U.S. all races rate.…”

“…As reflected in the Indian Health Service (IHS) health objectives for American Indian (AI) and Alaskan Native (AN) people (see Burns, 1995, for overview), alcohol misuse is well established as a major problem in AI/AN communities. Substance abuse, particularly alcohol misuse, in American Indian (AI) people has been the focus of much clinical and health policy concern, both recently and over the decades (e.g., Berremen, 1956;Burns, 1995;Honigmann, 1945, 1965;Mail and Johnson, 1993;NIAAA, 1993;Rhoades et al, 1980). Although there is considerable variability among tribes (e.g., Christian, Dufour, and Bertolucci, 1989;Mail and Johnson, 1993;May, 1989), the rate of alcoholism in AI people is higher than in the general population and is associated with increased negative consequence (IHS, 1990).…”

Effects of Age and Parental History of Alcoholism on EEG Findings in Mission Indian Children and Adolescents

“…A LTHOUGH TRIBES DIFFER with regard to the use of alcohol (Giuliano et al, 1998), the U.S. Indian Health Service has cited alcoholism as the most urgent health problem facing many Native Americans (Burns, 1995;U.S. Indian Health Service 1977, 1982, 1993, 1997.…”