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. 2014 Jun;104 Suppl 3(Suppl 3):S481-9.
doi: 10.2105/AJPH.2014.301879. Epub 2014 Apr 22.

Health behaviors and risk factors among American Indians and Alaska Natives, 2000-2010

Nathaniel Cobb  1 , David Espey, Jessica King
Affiliations

Health behaviors and risk factors among American Indians and Alaska Natives, 2000-2010

Nathaniel Cobb et al. Am J Public Health. 2014 Jun.

Abstract

Objectives: We provided contextual risk factor information for a special supplement on causes of death among American Indians and Alaska Natives (AI/ANs). We analyzed 11 years of Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS) data for AI/AN respondents in the United States.

Methods: We combined BRFSS data from 2000 to 2010 to determine the prevalence of selected risk factors for AI/AN and White respondents residing in Indian Health Service Contract Health Service Delivery Area counties. Regional prevalence estimates for AI/AN respondents were compared with the estimates for White respondents for all regions combined; respondents of Hispanic origin were excluded.

Results: With some regional exceptions, AI/AN people had high prevalence estimates of tobacco use, obesity, and physical inactivity, and low prevalence estimates of fruit and vegetable consumption, cancer screening, and seatbelt use.

Conclusions: These behavioral risk factors were consistent with observed patterns of mortality and chronic disease among AI/AN persons. All are amenable to public health intervention.

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