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American Indians and Alaska Natives

Rocky outcroppings of the Arizona desert

American Indian/Alaska Native communities can use Community Preventive Services Task Force (CPSTF) findings to develop interventions aimed at improving the health and safety of their unique, individual communities. The CPSTF has issued findings on a wide range of health and safety topics that disproportionately affect AI/AN populations, including heart disease, cancer, diabetes, obesity, teenage pregnancy, motor vehicle injuries, smoking, drug and alcohol use, and HIV/AIDS (CDC, 2016 External Web Site Icon).

Motor Vehicle Injuries

Motor vehicle crashes are the leading cause of unintentional injury for American Indians/Alaska Natives (AI/AN) ages 1 to 44 (CDC, 2016 External Web Site Icon).

From 2004-2009 and 2010-2014, CDC’s Injury Center funded tribal organizations to implement evidence-based strategies from The Community Guide to reduce motor vehicle deaths and injuries.

Task Force Recommendations Used to Improve Tribal Motor Vehicle Safety Save Lives Among American Indians and Alaska Natives.

Community Guide in Action Stories

Two girls in t-shirts support motor vehicle injury prevention program among Yurok Tribe in CaliforniaBuckle Up Yurok
The California Rural Indian Health Board received a grant from CDC to develop a motor vehicle injury prevention program for the Yurok Tribe in California. The reservation saw increased child safety seat use each year after the program began. (Released 2015)

Child safety seat techs secure child during Hopi Tribe program to increase motor vehicle safetyTightening the Belt: Increasing Occupant Restraint Use on the Hopi Reservation
The Hopi Tribe in Arizona received a grant from CDC to develop a motor vehicle injury prevention program. Over the four years of the program, both safety belt and child safety seat use increased. (Released 2015)

Additional Resources

The Community Guide – Motor Vehicle Injury

CDC’s Injury Center – Tribal Road Safety External Web Site Icon

Physical Activity

In addition to eating a healthy diet, exercising regularly can help people prevent and manage chronic conditions such as diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and some cancers.

Community Guide in Action Stories

Putting together healthy lunches in a school cafeteria kitchenRural Community Works Together to Stay "Fun and Fit"
The tribal communities in rural Hoonah, Alaska used The Community Guide as a resource to help counter the increasing rates of obesity. They partnered with the Alaska Department of Health and Social Services to expand access to places for physical activity and get the community moving. (Released 2012)