21 federally recognized American Indian tribes reside in Arizona.1 According to the 2000 census, 255,879 Arizonans are American Indians,2 comprising an estimated 5% of the Arizona population.3 Arizona is home to the second largest American Indian tribe in the US, the Navajo.4 The Navajo in Arizona numbered 104,565 people during the 2000 census, and the Navajo Nation’s land area covers 18,119.2 square miles, making it physically larger than Maryland.5
In 2005, American Indians had the second lowest health ranking among all ethnic groups in Arizona. In comparison to other ethnic groups, save for African Americans, “American Indians ranked poorly on measures of maternal lifestyle and health.” American Indians have a premature death rate, dying 20 years earlier than their Caucasian counterparts. Alcoholism, diabetes, and motor vehicle accidents contributed to this high premature death rate.
Diabetes has a very high prevalence among Arizona Indians. “Pima Indians of the Gila River Indian Community of Arizona have one of the world’s highest documented incidence rates of type 2 diabetes mellitus, and they have a high prevalence of obesity.”5 “50 percent of Pima Indians in Arizona who are between the ages of 30 and 64 have type 2 diabetes.”6 Lack of physical activity, poor nutritional choices, and, among the Pima Indians, a genetic disposition to insulin sensitivity and insulin secretion contribute to the high rate of Diabetes.
The Indian Health Services attempts to reduce this disparity, by providing federal health services to American Indians who live on or near reservations. Members of the federally recognized American Indian tribes and their children are eligible for this care.7 The Intertribal Council of Arizona provides consumer health information and nutrition classes to Arizona American Indians.8
