I come across a lot of information in the course of a day, most of it
barely touching my mind. However, from time to time, I come across
something that makes me stop and take a closer look. Yesterday was one
of those times.
A conference of Native American physicians have been meeting in Portland
this week. Modern medicine's approach has fractured the holistic
healing practices of Native Americans, who have the worst health
problems in the nation. On some level I've known that for years.
What I did not know was "the life expectancy for Native Americans is 63
years compared with 74 for the general population. In South Dakota, the
median age of death is 81 for the general population; 58 for Native
Americans."
"The statistical differences continue: The death rate among Native
Americans from diabetes is three times as high as the general
population's; six times as high from alcohol; more than two times as
high from accidents and 60 percent higher from suicide."
The statement that stopped me in my tracks was this one: "We need to
address the underlying wounded spirits, the loss of culture, the loss of
land and how that affects people's spirits." Wow.
I encourage you to read the article, it's interesting.
