Promoting Men's Health

This month we would like to highlight the importance of men's health. The pandemic has made many of us think about the health of others, but it is also important that we focus on our own health. Men oftentimes see themselves as strong and powerful, able to withstand whatever life throws at them. Despite this perception, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), men tend to die five years earlier than women. Whether you are a man yourself or have men in your lives, it is important to remind them and ourselves to pay attention to their health. Keep reading to learn about a few ways American Indian men can take care of their health.

Protection from Unintentional Injuries

Believe it or not, unintentional injury is one of the leading causes of death among American Indian men. These can include car crashes, poisonings, falls, or work-related injuries. Some very simple ways you can prevent these types of health hazards include wearing your seatbelt, making sure that medications and other materials are clearly labelled, removing trip hazards, using ladders properly, and following all safety protocols when at work.

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Practice Safe Sex

Safe or safer sex not only protects you, but also protects your partner. Practicing safe sex can reduce the chance of getting or sharing a sexually transmitted infections (STIs), like HIV, among others. STIs are typically passed through bodily fluids through oral sex, anal sex, vaginal sex, genital skin-to-skin contact, or saliva. Safe sex is important for American Indian men because HIV rates tend to be greater among Native men at 16.2% compared to rates among white men (9.6%), according to the CDC in 2018. The rates of chlamydia, gonorrhea, syphilis, and hepatitis C also tend to be higher among American Indian men.

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Managing Stress

2020 was certainly a stressful year. Stress is known to lead to poor health outcomes, including heart disease, diabetes, suicide, high blood pressure, and obesity. These health outcomes are concerning because heart disease, diabetes, and suicide are some of the leading causes of death among Native men. One way you can reduce your stress is by simply getting enough rest. The recommended amount of of sleep for adults is 7 to 9 hours per day. Another way to reduce your stress is by spending time doing things you love, including scheduling time for your hobbies and to hang out with your friends and family. If you ever feel overwhelmed, you should contact your doctor or traditional healer. If you feel suicidal, contact the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-8255.

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There are many more things men can do to improve or maintain their health. Some of these include quitting smoking, eating healthy, staying active, and limiting alcohol consumption. Most importantly, though, men can avoid having increasingly worse health outcomes by simply going to the doctor instead of putting it off or avoiding regular checkups.  Regular visits to your doctor can help catch any number of health issues before they become major problems.

Tell Us About Your Experiences
​During the COVID-19 Pandemic

Researchers at the Lehigh University College of Health and Institute for Indigenous Studies want to know about how the American Indian community has experienced the COVID-19 global pandemic. Currently, they are conducting two research studies with American Indians over the age of 18.

Do you have strong views about the pandemic that you'd like to share? Did you have unique experiences as a result of COVID-19 prevention measures? The first study may be for you. It aims to understand your knowledge, attitudes, beliefs, and behaviors surrounding the COVID-19 pandemic.

Did you collect traditional foods or learn a new traditional skill during lockdown? Did you rely on stories and oral traditions to understand or cope with the COVID-19 pandemic? The Institute would like to hear from you! Their second research study seeks to understand how you may have used traditional knowledge or activities to help you with the pandemic. 

For participation in either of the studies, participants will receive a $30 gift card for their participation via email.

If you are interested in participating, email the Institute at [email protected].

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Jordyn Gunville Receives
​Robert Wood Johnson Foundation Award

We are proud to announce that Jordyn Gunville, a Doctoral Student at the University of Kansas Medical Center has been selected to participate in one of the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation’s leadership programs. These programs connect changemakers across the country—from every profession and field—to learn from and work with one another in creating more just and thriving communities.

Specifically, Jordyn was selected for Health Policy Research Scholars. Designed for doctoral students from historically marginalized backgrounds and populations underrepresented in specific disciplines, Health Policy Research Scholars helps researchers from all fields apply their work to policies that advance equity and health while building a diverse field of leaders who reflect our changing national demographics.

As a member of the program’s newest cohort, Jordyn will focus on reducing infant mortality among American Indian infants through research examining prenatal and postnatal care interventions. As a part of this work, she also seeks to end the bifurcation presented regarding maternal and infant health, recognizing that these reinforce each other. One of the issues with examining health care among American Indians is the complicated nature of the institutional arrangements that differ by location and have shifted over time. On some reservations, the Indian Health Service and tribal clinics can provide care for pregnant women and their infants. However, in other areas, the facilities are not equipped for childbirths, and women are generally referred out of the Indian Health Service system. This can be a stressful situation as women and their families may not be familiar with them and the facilities may not accommodate the families’ desires regarding pregnancy and birth. Working across sectors to form a culture of health that can truly support native families before, during, and after birth is the focus of Jordyn’s work.

Jordyn is an enrolled member of the Cheyenne River Sioux Tribe. Born and raised on the Cheyenne River Sioux Indian Reservation, she has gained first-hand experience of understanding health disparities and health barriers American Indians face. She has dedicated her life goals to serving her community and other American Indian communities to improve the overall health of community members and gap health disparities by addressing the social determinants of health. She is passionate about incorporating effective health policy that encompasses cultural beliefs and practices, as well as health equity.

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