Prevalence of Selected Risk Factors for Chronic Disease and Injury Among American Indians and Alaska Natives--United States, 1995-1998

Abstract

Since the 1950s, morbidity and mortality attributable to infectious diseases among American Indians and Alaska Natives (AIs/ANs) have declined and chronic diseases, especially diabetes, and injury have remained important determinants of poor health (1). Knowledge of the prevalence of behavioral risk factors for chronic disease and injury can be used to form policies and programs to improve the health of AIs/ANs. Based on data obtained from the Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS) from 1993 through 1996, CDC published regional estimates of the prevalence of 10 behavioral risk factors for AIs/ANs (2). This report updates data from the earlier report and focuses on three of the 10 risk factors for chronic disease and injury among AIs/ANs.