Obesity in Native Americans Health
Hi everyone! Welcome back to this week’s blog! In the past week I have finished the final edits of my lit review and also finished making the slides for my final presentation. I have also had a few zoom meetings with some of the staff at ASU who are either Native American or aid in Native American research. In this week’s blog I will be talking about the relationship between obesity in Native American population because it is a key component to cardiovascular health that is influenced by SDOH.
Obesity rates among Native American populations tend to be higher compared to the general population, largely due to a combination of genetic predispositions, historical trauma, socio-economic factors, and limited access to healthy foods and healthcare services. This heightened prevalence of obesity significantly increases the risk of cardiovascular diseases such as hypertension, coronary artery disease, and stroke within these communities. Additionally, obesity exacerbates other risk factors such as diabetes, further amplifying the cardiovascular health challenges faced by Native Americans. Addressing these disparities requires culturally sensitive interventions that prioritize community engagement, access to nutritious foods, and comprehensive healthcare services tailored to the specific needs and challenges of Native American populations.
In my conversations with the staff at ASU, I also got to learn a lot more about the history of health amongst native americans that could leave having high rates of social determinants. As well as get their opinions on social determinants amongst native americans as well as current research on SDOH. Thank you for reading this week’s blog!