non-Native American Populations Research Articles

Peopling of the Americas as inferred from ancient genomics.

In less than a decade, analyses of ancient genomes have transformed our understanding of the Indigenous peopling and population history of the Americas. These studies have shown that this history, which began in the late Pleistocene epoch and continued episodically into the Holocene epoch, was far more complex than previously thought. It is now evident that the initial dispersal involved the movement from northeast Asia of distinct and previously unknown populations, including some for whom there are no currently known descendants. The first peoples, once south of the continental ice sheets, spread widely, expanded rapidly and branched into multiple populations. Their descendants-over the next fifteen millennia-experienced varying degrees of isolation, admixture, continuity and replacement, and their genomes help to illuminate the relationships among major subgroups of Native American populations. Notably, all ancient individuals in the Americas, save for later-arriving Arctic peoples, are more closely related to contemporary Indigenous American individuals than to any other population elsewhere, which challenges the claim-which is based on anatomical evidence-that there was an early, non-Native American population in the Americas. Here we review the patterns revealed by ancient genomics that help to shed light on the past peoples who created the archaeological landscape, and together lead to deeper insights into the population and cultural history of the Americas.

Erratum

Erratum

Comparison of fruit and vegetable consumption among Native and non-Native American populations in rural communities

Fruit and vegetable consumption of Native Americans was compared with that of non-Native Americans and determinants of fruit and vegetable intake for both populations were found based upon the Theory of Planned Behavior. A one-time survey was conducted as part of a larger research project funded by the South Dakota Department of Health. The survey was administered in local grocery stores and supermarkets in six South Dakota communities, including two located on Native American reservations. Of the 1000 distributed surveys, 499 were returned with 230 being usable, resulting in a response rate of 49.9%. Wilcoxon signed-rank test and two regression models were tested using SAS 9.2 software. Dependent variables were fruit and vegetable intake. Attitudes towards health, fruit and vegetable consumption, perceived difficulty, subjective norm and intention were also measured. Community size, family income, employment status and participation in food assistance programmes [Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program or Women, Infants, and Children (SNAP or WIC)] were socio-demographic control variables. Overall, Native American participants consumed more fruit and vegetables at home and had a more positive attitude towards healthy diets than non-Native American participants. SNAP or WIC participation, family health, exercise, intention to live healthier than parents, buying healthy food, and fruit and vegetable consumption when eating out were positively associated with fruit and vegetable consumption among Native Americans, while participation in the SNAP or WIC programme had a negative influence on consumption among non-Native American participants. Family health, exercise, buying healthy food, fruit and vegetable when eating out, and intention to buy healthy food were positively associated with fruit and vegetable consumption among the non-Native American population. Theory of Planned Behavior variables (e.g. attitude towards healthy food) significantly contributed to the model explaining fruit and vegetable consumption. The fact that SNAP and WIC participation had an opposite influence on the two populations warrants further research.

Confronting Myths: The Native American Experience in an Academic Inpatient Palliative Care Consultation Program

Recent end-of-life (EOL) care literature in non-Native American (NA) populations has demonstrated the benefits of EOL discussions. EOL discussions are associated with less aggressive care at EOL, better patient self-assessed quality of life, and less caregiver depression after the patient is deceased. There is no literature assessing these issues in NA populations. However, common myths that may affect care include: 1) NA patients will not discuss death and dying, 2) severely ill NA patients and families will not choose do not resuscitate (DNR) status, and 3) NA patients and families will not utilize hospice services if offered. Our study explored these issues utilizing a consultation database from the Palliative Care Consultation Service at University of New Mexico Hospital (UNMH). Statistical analyses were conducted using nonparametric Wilcoxon tests for continuous variables and Fisher's exact test for categorical variables. Study results demonstrate that health care providers can hold EOL care discussions with NA patients and NA patients' care preferences are affected by these discussions. The result do not support our hypothesis that there would be a lower rate of post-consult DNR status in NA patients (compared with non-NA). NA and non-NA patients and families participated in family meetings and their code status was affected to a similar degree. Furthermore, NA patients and their families choose hospice services at rates similar to non-NA patients seen by the palliative care consultation service.

Prevalence of Corneal Astigmatism in Tohono O'odham Native American Children 6 Months to 8 Years of Age

To describe the prevalence of corneal astigmatism in infants and young children who are members of a Native American tribe with a high prevalence of refractive astigmatism. The prevalence of corneal astigmatism was assessed by obtaining infant keratometer (IK4) measurements from 1235 Tohono O'odham children, aged 6 months to 8 years. The prevalence of corneal astigmatism >2.00 D was lower in the 1- to <2-year-old age group when compared with all other age groups, except the 6- to <7-year-old group. The magnitude of mean corneal astigmatism was significantly lower in the 1- to <2-year age group than in the 5- to <6-, 6- to <7-, and 7- to <8-year age groups. Corneal astigmatism was with-the-rule (WTR) in 91.4% of astigmatic children (≥1.00 D). The prevalence and mean amount of corneal astigmatism were higher than reported in non-Native American populations. Mean astigmatism increased from 1.43 D in 1-year-olds to nearly 2.00 D by school age.

Prevalence of Astigmatism in Native American Infants and Children

To describe the prevalence of high astigmatism in infants and young children who are members of a Native American tribe with a high prevalence of astigmatism. SureSight autorefraction measurements were obtained for 1461 Tohono O'odham children aged 6 months to 8 years. The prevalence of astigmatism >2.00 diopters was 30% in Tohono O'odham children during infancy (6 months to <1 year of age) and was 23 to 29% at ages 2 to 7 years. However, prevalence dipped to 14% in children 1 to <2 years of age. At all ages, axis of astigmatism was with-the-rule (plus cylinder axis 90 degrees +/- 30 degrees ) in at least 94% of cases. As in non-Native American populations, Tohono O'odham infants show a high prevalence of astigmatism, which decreases in the second year of life. However, the prevalence of high astigmatism in Tohono O'odham children increases by age 2 to <3 years to a level near that seen in infancy and remains at that level until at least age 8 years. Longitudinal data are needed to determine whether the increase in high astigmatism after infancy occurs in infants who had astigmatism as infants or is due to the development of high astigmatism in children who did not show astigmatism during infancy.

Successful thalidomide therapy for actinic prurigo in a European woman

Actinic prurigo is a rare, often difficult-to-treat, idiopathic photodermatosis. Actinic prurigo is divided into a hereditary form appearing in the Native American population and a sporadic form occurring in non-Native Americans. We present a 28-year-old Caucasian woman who developed typical clinical signs and symptoms of actinic prurigo, just as had her mother and grandmother. The patient and her mother were HLA-A24 and HLA-DR 4 with the subtype HLA-DRB1*0408. Based on clinical symptoms and the HLA pattern, the diagnosis of actinic prurigo was made. Treatment with thalidomide led to resolution of the disease. This case report of a Caucasian woman suffering from a hereditary form of actinic prurigo questions the established classification of actinic prurigo into a hereditary Native American form and a sporadic form occurring in the non-Native American population.

Erfolgreiche Thalidomidtherapie einer kaukasischen Patientin mit hereditärer aktinischer Prurigo

Actinic prurigo is a rare, often difficult-to-treat, idiopathic photodermatosis. Actinic prurigo is divided into a hereditary form appearing in the Native American population and a sporadic form occurring in non-Native Americans. We present a 28-year old Caucasian woman who, similar to her mother and grandmother, developed typical clinical symptoms of actinic prurigo. The assessment of the HLA pattern in our patient and her mother revealed the presence of HLA-A24 and HLA-DR 4 with the subtype HLA-DRB1*0408. Based on clinical symptoms and the HLA pattern the diagnosis of actinic prurigo was established in our patient. Treatment with thalidomide led to the disappearance of clinical symptoms. This case report of a Caucasian woman suffering from a hereditary form of actinic prurigo questions the established classification of actinic prurigo into a hereditary Native American form and a sporadic form occurring in the non-Native American population.

Disproportionate Impact Of Diabetes In A Puerto Rican Community Of Chicago

We assessed the impact of diabetes in a large Puerto Rican community of Chicago by measuring the prevalence of diagnosed diabetes and calculating the diabetes mortality rate. Data were analyzed from a comprehensive health survey conducted in randomly selected households in community areas. Questions on diagnosed diabetes and selected risk factors were asked. In addition, vital records data were analyzed in order to calculate the age-adjusted diabetes mortality rate. When possible, rates were compared to those found in other studies. The diabetes prevalence located in this community (20.8%: 95% CI = 10.1%-38.0%) is the highest ever reported for Puerto Ricans and one of the highest ever reported in the United States for a non-Native American population. For instance, it is twice the prevalence for Puerto Ricans in New York (11.3%) and Puerto Rico (9.3%-9.6%). Diagnosed diabetes was found to be significantly associated with obesity (p = 0.023). The prevalence was particularly high among older people, females, those born in the US, and those with a family history of diabetes. Notably, the diabetes mortality rate (67.6 per 100,000 population) was more than twice the rate for all of Chicago (31.2) and the US (25.4). Understanding why the diabetes prevalence and mortality rates for Puerto Ricans in this community are so much higher than those of other communities is imperative for primary and secondary prevention. Collaboration between researchers, service providers and community members can help address the issues of diabetes education, early screening and diagnosis, and effective treatment needed in this community.

An Introduction to Cultural Issues Relevant to Assessment with Native American Youth

A review of issues surrounding the assessment of Native American youth is presented to inform and guide school psychologists. A description of schooling experiences of many Native American students is included along with examples of Native American cultural factors that may conflict with European-American values often infused in school systems. Expected behaviors of a service provider necessary to gain trust with Native Americans are outlined. The necessity of using measures to ascertain language barriers and acculturation level is discussed and examples provided. The validity of social-emotional and cognitive tests for Native American students is examined with relation to their standardization with a non-Native American population. A recommended evaluation procedure concludes with a broadly defined process designed to clarify steps towards a culturally competent assessment.

Margaret Clark's Enduring Contribution to Latino Studies in Medical Anthropology

argaret Clark's stature in Latino studies in medical anthropology stems in large part from the publication of her 1959 monograph, Health in the Mexican American Culture. The book helped to move the emerging field of medical anthropology beyond the narrow gaze that characterized most earlier ethnomedical research (cf. Humphrey 1945; Saunders 1954; van derEerden 1948). Earlier work in medical anthropology tended to focus on the exotica of health beliefs and practices, with little regard to their contexts or social significance. In contrast, Clark's work helped to demonstrate that ethnomedical phenomena could be profitably analyzed as both reflecting and perpetuating broader sociocultural processes. Alongside works by such noted medical anthropologists as Richard Adams, George Foster, Octavio Romano, Arthur Rubel, Benjamin Paul, Lyle Saunders, and Ozzie Simmons, Clark's richly textured analyses added to the enduring impact ethnomedical research with Latinos has had on medical anthropology as a field. Clark's research on sociocultural aspects of health and illness in the economically disadvantaged Mexican American barrio of Sal si Puedes, San Jose, California, helped to establish the legitimacy of ethnographic research with non-Native American populations in the United States while drawing early attention to key issues that continue to interest medical anthropologists to this day. The work focused on informal sector health care, particularly as it was managed within households and by extrahousehold relatives, neighbors, and friends. This perspective helped to set Clark's research apart. Until then, anthropologists had been more interested in the dramatic, colorful, and often supernaturally inspired healing specialists, such as spirit-mediums, diviners, and priests or specialists such as bone-setters and herbalists who controlled well-defined bodies of expert knowledge (e.g., Edgerton 1971; Hallowell 1942; Handelman 1967) And they, like the ethnographers who studied them, were generally men.

Mirizzi syndrome in a native American population

Mirizzi syndrome is a rare disorder consisting of obstruction of the common hepatic duct resulting from gallstone impaction in the cystic duct or neck of the gallbladder. Formation of a biliobiliary fistula is common, and if unrecognized at the time of surgery, may result in major biliary ductal injury. The severity of biliary tract disease among Native Americans led to this retrospective review of Mirizzi syndrome to determine complications and intraoperative management. A review of 623 biliary tract operations performed from October 1990 to December 1992 identified 17 patients (2.7%) with the disorder, representing a greater incidence than in non-Native American populations. Five patients had type I Mirizzi syndrome with either a parallel cystic duct (2 patients) or an obliterated duct (3 patients). Twelve patients had type II Mirizzi syndrome with a biliobiliary fistula. Cholangiograms were obtained in 12 cases. Seven fistulas were closed primarily and 4 were closed over catheters. There were no deaths, and 4 major complications occurred, including 1 bile-duct injury. A follow-up period of 1 to 3.5 years (mean 2.5) revealed no long-term problems. Mirizzi syndrome among the Native American population can be managed successfully by appropriate diagnostic and surgical techniques.

IS THE AMOUNT OF DEATH INSTINCT CONSTANT AMONG U.S. INDIAN HEALTH SERVICE AREAS: A REPLICATION

Death rates for nonmotor vehicle related accidents, heart disease, and murder were obtained from the U.S. Indian Health Service for all 11 health service areas. In contrast to predictions derived from Tabachnick and Klugman's hypothesis that the amount of death instinct per capita in different regions should be constant, no statistically significant negative correlations were found, for these three variables. These findings replicate results, from earlier studies using Native and non-Native American populations.