Copyright © 2004 NLThomas
All Rights Reserved

TAHLEQUAH, OKLAHOMA - Cherokee Nation is using National Public Health Week, April 5-11, to call attention to the growing number of local organizations who are finding creative ways to address ethnic health problems.

"National Public Health Week 2004 is about moving communities nationwide from statistics to solutions on health disparities", said Melissa Gower, Cherokee Nation health group leader. "Racial and ethnic minorities in Oklahoma experience a higher rate of a variety of health concerns than other populations."

According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, despite great improvements in the overall health of the nation, Americans who are members of racial and ethnic minority groups, including African Americans, Alaska Natives, American Indians, Asian Americans, Hispanic Americans, and Pacific Islanders, are more likely than whites to have poor health and to die prematurely.

"A prime example would be to look at diabetes", said Gloria Grim, Cherokee Nation medical director. "This is the fourth leading cause of death among Native Americans in Oklahoma resulting in more than 100 deaths each year. Native Americans are threee times more likely to have diagnosed diabetes than non-Hispanic whites of similar age and Native Americans have the highest diabetes prevalence rate of all ethnic groups in Oklahoma."

"Health disparities are an increasingly serious problem for ethnic and racial minorities in our area", Gower said. "These rapidly increasing disparities can no longer go unchecked."

Fortunately, Cherokee Nation is finding creative ways to address problems with racial and ethnic health disparities. Cherokee Nation has created a campaign to raise awareness among community residents about disparities in diabetes and heart disease and to help reduce these disparities. The Cherokee Nation WINGS program addressed high rates of diabetes in Native Americans by encouraging physical activity and proper nutrition. WINGS offers incentives to members who work toward healthy behaviors such as walking, strength training, consuming five fruits and vegetables per day, and volunteering in their communities. WINGS also sponsors monthly walks and runs for its members. To learn more about WINGS or other Cherokee Nation Health programs in your community, contact Bunner Gray or Lu McCraw at 918-456-0671 ext. 2619 or 2615.

"These are only some of the many solutions being used in our local area to help address health disparities", Grim said. "We need to continue to expand these solutions and start new ones. Ending racial and ethnic health disparities is a major challenge, but it’s a challenge that can be met if we tackle it together."

Related contact information:

Mike Miller, Cherokee Nation Director of Communications Phone: 918-456-0671 (ext.2210) Fax: 918-458-5580 E-mail: Communications@cherokee.org Larry Daugherty, Advertising Manager Cherokee Nation - Public Affairs Phone 918-456-0671 (Ex.2324) E-mail: ldaugherty@cherokee.org

Steven Swogger, Agriculture Liaison Natural Resources Department Phone: 918-456-0671 (ext.2546) FAX: 918-458-7673 E-mail: sswogger@cherokee.org Bradley D. Peak, Cherokee Nation Natural Resources Specialist Phone: 918-456-0671 (ex.2843) E-mail: bpeak@cherokee.org