Access to Health Care

Although this isn't a problem with the health of women, it can lead to health problems because many women can't get the right health services, medicines, and supplies when they need them. Some reasons include:

• They can't pay for it and don't have health insurance.
• They have no way to get to a doctor.
• They have physical limitations that make it hard to get to a doctor.
• They don't understand the language.

Because they believe ill health is part of the normal aging process, American Indians/Alaska Natives may be less likely than others to get care for problems that can be treated. They have faced racism and have been denied medical care in the past, which are also barriers for some people to get care later in their lives. In fact, one study found that older American Indians fear non-Indian health professionals and do not expect to be treated fairly by them.

Another barrier is not having medical care close by. Even though the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services' Indian Health Service (IHS) offers health care services for American Indians and Alaska Natives, many do not have a health care provider to see for preventive health services or medical care. Only 1 in 5 American Indian or Alaska Native uses health care from the Indian Health Service. IHS services clinics are mainly located at reservations. So, American Indians and Alaska Natives who live in urban areas can't use it.