Mother Earth Journal

Protect the Circle of Life 

Washington, DC – Wes Studi, the well known Cherokee actor, stars in new public service announcements that covers strategies to reduce the spread of flu and encourages Native Americans to get the flu vaccine.

“The virus has hit Indian Country especially hard,” said Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius at a press conference Jan. 10 introducing the new public service announcements.
                                                                                
It’s National Influenza Week, a national observance that highlights the importance of continuing influenza vaccination.

Last month, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention released a study that indicated that the risk of dying from the H1N1 virus and its complications was four times higher for American Indians and Alaska Natives than for the population in general.

Sebelius said that Native communities suffer disproportionately from underlying health conditions like asthma, diabetes, and heart disease that may increase the risk of getting seriously ill from the flu. She added that poverty and difficulty in accessing medical care in remote communities increases the risk of serious illness and makes the risk of dying from that illness much higher.
 
“It’s really important for us to let people know how important it is to protect themselves from the flu. This message is really urgent in Indian Country. The new radio and TV Public Service Announcement is part of that outreach effort,” said Sebelius. 
 
“We know that vaccines are by far the best means we have to prevent the flu. We’ve heard all the myths about vaccines being unsafe. That is absolutely not true and it’s really important at this critical time to set the record straight,” Sebalius said. She noted that every year millions of Americans are safely vaccinated against the seasonal flu.
 
“Right now vaccine supplies are excellent,” Dr. John Redd, IHS epidemiologist said. ”Up until very recently we’ve dealt with vaccine supplies that were relatively short, but that’s not the case now, and now is the time to get your vaccination.”
 
Redd said that if a person is reluctant to get vaccinated they have to think about not only their own risk but also their whole family, neighbors and the community. “People need to bear in mind that this particular strain in flu unfortunately has a big impact in children, especially ages 0 to four. The report found that the death rate in American Indian children is 7.2 times higher than for non-Indian ages 0-4. By getting yourself vaccinated you are helping your family and community.”

During the press conference IHS director Dr. Yvette Roubideaux said that all IHS areas are currently administering the H1N1 vaccine and the IHS meets weekly about H1N1. “All of our IHS Area Chief Medical Officers attend the weekly calls and are responsible for getting updated information out to local health facilities. There is also an every other week call for tribes to give them updates as well,” said  Roubideaux.
 
Jessica L. Burger, RN, deputy director of the National Indian Health Board said, “NIHB is very pleased to see the elevation of this critical issue for Indian Country and the development of targeted messages for our communities. Indian Country’s population absolutely needs education regarding the severity of this disease along with increased availability of the vaccine to combat this devastating illness.”
 
NIHB said they were pleased with the commitment and timely response to the crisis mortality American Indian and Alaska Native populations are experiencing as a result of the H1N1 virus.  “The ongoing efforts this Administration and Department of Health and Human Services’ outreach and education that is being done in Indian Country demonstrates the commitment President Obama has to improve Indian Health,” said Burger, a former health director of the Little River Band of Ottowa Indians. ”As a registered nurse, I strongly encourage that every Indian person seeks and receives the H1N1 vaccine to protect themselves and their families.”

For information about the H1N1 influenza virus, visit the CDC’s Flu website. The National Indian Health Board advocates on behalf of all Tribal Governments and American Indians/Alaska Natives in their efforts to provide quality health care.