Trends in perinatal and infant health disparities between rural American Indians and Alaska natives and rural Whites.

Objectives: We examined disparities in perinatal care, birth outcomes, and infant health between rural American Indian and Alaska Native (AIAN) persons and rural Whites over time.

Methods: We compared perinatal and infant health measures for 217 064 rural AIAN births and 5 032 533 rural non-Hispanic White births.

Results: Among American Indians and Alaska Natives, unadjusted rates of inadequate prenatal care (1985-1987, 36.

Access to specialty health care for rural American Indians in two states.

Context: The Indian Health Service (IHS), whose per capita expenditure for American Indian and Alaska Native (AI/AN) health services is about half that of the US civilian population, is the only source of health care funding for many rural AI/ANs. Specialty services, largely funded through contracts with outside practitioners, may be limited by low IHS funding levels.

Purpose: To examine specialty service access among rural Indian populations in two states.

American Indians and Alaska Natives: how do they find their path to medical school?

Background: American Indians and Alaska Natives (AI/ANs) remain underrepresented in the medical profession. This study sought to understand the supports and barriers that AI/AN students encountered on their path to successful medical school entry.

Method: The research team analyzed qualitative semistructured, one-on-one, confidential interviews with 10 AI/AN medical students to identify salient support and barrier themes.