American Indians designated a priority group due to higher risk of H1N1 death

[The Straight Story]

American Indians designated a priority group due to higher risk of H1N1 death

A letter issued by Centers for Disease Control and Prevention director Thomas Frieden M.D. has advised the states that American Indians and Alaska Natives may be more vulnerable to severe illness from H1N1 influenza and should receive vaccine on a priority basis.

Frieden writes that indigenous populations from Australia, Canada and New Zealand have a three to eight times higher rate of H1N1-related hospitalization and death, and that two states in particular, Arizona and New Mexico, observed a disproportionate number of H1N1 deaths in American Indians.

His letter urges state health officers to redouble their efforts with minority providers to increase H1N1 vaccinations among underserved populations.

A CDC report issued Dec. 11 indicates from April 15 to Nov. 13, American Indians including Alaska Natives in 12 states died from H1N1 at a rate four times higher than other races or ethnicities.

http://www.indiancountrytoday.com/home/content/80058432.html

[Don Caballero]

1. In a perfect world the American Indians would be the first in line everything

here in America. We stole their land. The least we could do is offer them the first shot at vaccines and medicines.