Vulnerable Populations

Paper Summary:

The paper discusses how Native Americans statistically have a significantly higher risk of acquiring certain diseases as well as a higher risk of developing alcoholism and, therefore, an increased risk of creating fetal alcohol syndrome (FAS) in offspring. The paper then explores programs that could address the issues surrounding the problem of alcoholism and FAS. The paper also highlights the important role of the public health nurse.

From the Paper:

"Though the Native American population in the United States constitutes only about 1% of the total population, the population has significant vulnerabilities as a group, all of which contribute to a need to better serve the population, especially in health care. (Shumway & Jackson, 1995, p.185) The Native American population in the United States suffers from statistically significant health problems that are often compounded by their disenfranchisement. The historical pattern of Native American health issues demonstrates that an evolution has taken place with regard to the problems they face, in the initial eras of conquest the effects of contagious diseases brought by exposure to Europeans was the problem."

Sample of Sources Used:

• Berman, M., Hull, T., & May, P. (2000). Alcohol Control and Injury Death in Alaska Native Communities: Wet, Damp and Dry under Alaska's Local Option Law. Journal of Studies on Alcohol, 61(2), 311.
• French, L. A. (2000). Addictions and Native Americans. Westport, CT: Praeger.
• Hannigan, J. H., Spear, L. P., Spear, N. E., & Goodlett, C. R. (Eds.). (1999). Effects on Brain and Development Effects on Brain and Development. Mahwah, NJ: Lawrence Erlbaum Associates.
• Shumway, J. M., & Jackson, R. H. (1995). Native American Population Patterns. The Geographical Review, 85(2), 185.
• Skye, W. (2002). E.L.D.E.R.S. Gathering for Native American Youth: Continuing Native American Traditions and Curbing Substance Abuse in Native American Youth. Journal of Sociology & Social Welfare, 29(1), 117.

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