American Indian Culture and Research Journal

INTRODUCTION American Indians currently face many challenges to their survival. Struggling against racism, substance abuse, and impaired health and striving for sovereignty, economic self-determination, and land rights have not only burdened many Native populations, but also provided a context for American Indian communities to meet these challenges with resources both old and new. One problem exemplifying the need for multiple solution strategies is diabetes, a disease affecting American Indian populations at higher rates than any other population in the world. A closer examination of diabetes among American Indians reveals that it is not just a disease of the body; it is a problem which needs to be understood within the context of Native history, culture, and experience. Medical anthropology is a discipline that has much to offer in attempts to identify the broader contexts of American Indian health problems. Medical anthropologists often focus on the sociocultural parameters of health, which includes an analysis of the influence of cultural beliefs on health and the manner in which social inequalities can negatively impact access to health care. This perspective highlights the extent to which ethnicity, acculturation, history of prejudice, and social position affect the experience of a health problem and the overall quality of health and health care. These are essential factors to consider in order to more fully understand diabetes and why American Indians are experiencing the disease disproportionate to other populations.