American Indian/Alaska Native (AI/AN) children and adolescents are a unique and diverse population with multiple health inequities, and pediatricians are in a special position to improve their health and well-being with culturally sensitive, family-centered care.

We have assembled a collection of policy and resources to help care for AI/AN youth.


Native American Child Health Overview

American Indian and Alaska Native (AI/AN) children and adolescents face considerable hurdles from birth that stem from historical trauma, health inequities, socioeconomic barriers and racism—and yet they endure with proper support.

Compared with the general US population, AI/AN children and adolescents have higher levels of obesity and obesity-related cardiovascular issues, mental health concerns, suicide, toxic stress, substance use disorder, injury and violence, exposure to environmental hazards and historical trauma.

Care for this special population presents a unique and complex clinical opportunity for pediatricians and other providers of pediatric care because of the high level of documented health inequities within a sociocultural context unfamiliar to most practicing providers of pediatric care.

Pediatricians can support the health and well-being of AI/AN children and adolescents and provide excellent patient care by using programs and interventions that incorporate AI/AN culture, tradition and practices.

AAP Recommendations

The AAP provides recommendations and guidelines to support pediatricians caring for American Indian and Alaska Native Children, Adolescents and Families. 

Demographics and Health Status of AI/AN Children

The following are links to reports which provide data on demographics and health status for American Indian/Alaska Native children.

View Reports

 

Professional Tools and Resources

The following resources are designed to help you care for American Indian and Alaska Native Children.

International Meeting on Indigenous Child Health (IMICH)

The biennial IMICH Conference is a forum for exploring a range of health-promoting programs and strategies from community members, researchers, academics, or clinicians working with First Nations, Inuit, Métis, American Indian, Alaska Native or other Indigenous children and youth. The next conference is being held in Winnipeg, Manitoba, March 28-30, 2025.

Indigenous Health SIG Webinars

Past Indigenous Health Special Interest Group webinars are archived here. No CME credits are available for archived webinars.

Alaska Native Tribal Health Consortium (ANTHC) Provider Webinars

The Alaska Native Tribal Health Consortium is a non-profit Tribal health organization designed to meet the unique health needs of Alaska Native and American Indian people living in Alaska.

IHS Tele-Education

Indian Health Service general educational opportunities. Attend free live webinars or view archived webinars on relevant topics for healthcare providers working in the IHS, Tribal and Urban Indian Health system and those serving American Indian/Alaska Native people and communities.

Partner Organizations

These organizations are also engaged in improving the health and well-being of American Indian/Alaska Native children.

Reach Out and Read AI/AN Initiative

In coordination with the AAP and IHS, the AI/AN Initiative focuses on providing this program to IHS/Tribal/Urban health clinics nationwide. AI/AN children have the lowest test scores, high school graduation rates, and college entry/graduation rates in the United States, making early education and early literacy programs critical.

Indigenous Health Special Interest Group

A free forum for all health care professionals and trainees with an interest in Native American Child Health.

Join IHSIG Forum

 

Model Programs and Best Practices

The following programs, tools and resources represent model programs and/or best practices in American Indian/Alaska Native child health.  

​Family Spirit

Family Spirit® is an evidence-based, culturally tailored home-visiting program of the Johns Hopkins Center for American Indian Health to promote optimal health and wellbeing for parents and their children.

Indian Health Service Best Practices, Promising Practices and Local Efforts

This website contains a collection of prevention/intervention strategies that works to improve the health of American Indian/Alaska Native (AI/AN) populations.​

AAP ACEs, Trauma, Toxic Stress and Resilience

Experiences in childhood, both positive and negative, have a significant effect on subsequent health, mental health and developmental trajectories. This website includes policy, resources and guidance on how pediatricians and health care providers can make their practices trauma-informed.

AI/AN Oral Health Tip Sheets

The AAP Campaign for Dental Health and the National Indian Health Board Tribal Oral Health Initiative partnered to develop four tip sheets for American Indian and Alaska Native babies, kids, adults and elders. Each offer age-appropriate guidance for a variety of ways to keep teeth and mouths healthy.

AAP Institute for Healthy Childhood Weight

Resources and tools to optimize healthcare, engage families and catalyze communities to combat childhood obesity.

Get Involved

Last Updated

07/30/2024

Source

American Academy of Pediatrics