Collecting Data Among Population Groups
Why We Track Leading Causes of Death among Population Groups
Tracking the leading causes of death among the general population provides important data. However, further gathering and examining that data among different populations helps to understand diverse challenges facing racial and ethnic groups, geographic regions, and various demographics.
For instance, American Indian/Alaska Native (AI/AN) data are integral to understanding unique challenges of these communities. AI/AN populations continue to be negatively impacted by the disruption caused by European colonizers centuries ago including loss of land, traditional ways of eating, and introduction of disease. Sovereign tribes know what’s best for them and respect for their self-determination is essential to understanding how best to support them.
Shown in this chart, the top three causes of death among Alaska Natives are cancer, heart disease, and unintentional injury. Cancer and heart disease are often associated with lifestyle behaviors and access to care. Unintentional injuries could be indications of unsafe conditions in their communities. These data prompt us to look deeper to recognize how history, culture, and resources play a role in health outcomes in the AI/AN populations.