2014/04/22 by Linda Schieb, Carma Ayala, Amy L. Valderrama +1 · 2 citations
Medicine · #Acute Ischemic Stroke Management #Cardiac Arrest and Resuscitation #Acute Myocardial Infarction Research
paper · doi:10.2105/ajph.2013.301698
openalex publication_date 2014/04/22 · openalex created_date 2025/10/10 · openalex updated_date 2026/07/07
OBJECTIVES: We evaluated trends and disparities in stroke death rates for American Indians and Alaska Natives (AI/ANs) and White people by Indian Health Service region. METHODS: We identified stroke deaths among AI/AN persons and Whites (adults aged 35 years or older) using National Vital Statistics System data for 1990 to 2009. We used linkages with Indian Health Service patient registration data to adjust for misclassification of race for AI/AN persons. Analyses excluded Hispanics and focused on Contract Health Service Delivery Area (CHSDA) counties. RESULTS: Stroke death rates among AI/AN individuals were higher than among Whites for both men and women in CHSDA counties and were highest in the youngest age groups. Rates and AI/AN:White rate ratios varied by region, with the highest in Alaska and the lowest in the Southwest. Stroke death rates among AI/AN persons decreased in all regions beginning in 2001. CONCLUSIONS: Although stroke death rates among AI/AN populations have decreased over time, rates are still higher for AI/AN persons than for Whites. Interventions that address reducing stroke risk factors, increasing awareness of stroke symptoms, and increasing access to specialty care for stroke may be more successful at reducing disparities in stroke death rates.