Palliative care: an emerging issue for American Indians and Alaskan Natives

Abstract

Over 4 million American Indians and Alaskan Natives live in communities that receive health care primarily from the federal Indian Health Service or tribal health programs. Palliative care has only recently been formally addressed for these communities. An Indian Health Service program introduced the topic and several programs are ongoing. Needs for and barriers to palliative care in native peoples' communities are discussed and several successful programs at various stages of development and implementation are described.