Issues that demand attention of both the society and the government essay

It is known that in any community there are issues that demand attention of both the society and the government. Native Americans Community faces a number of problems including unemployment, health problems, and problems connected with intergovernmental relationships. Pine Ridge Indian reservation in South Dakota is one of Native Americans Communities which has the highest unemployment rate of an about 80%, wide spread alcoholism and numerous instances of suicide. (Huff, 2010, para.2)

Although the U.S. President Barack Obama has promised all Native Americans that they “will not be forgotten” as long as he is the head of the state, there are still a lot of issues that require prompt solutions on the part of the government. (Huff, 2010, para.3)

My goal in this paper is to discuss one of the issues facing Native Americans Community and to determine the role of leadership and intergovernmental relationships. Moreover, it is necessary to prove the fact that leadership and governmental relationships play an important role in making this issue a rather hot topic in the chosen community. As health is a key factor of successful development of personality, this paper will discuss health issues that face Native Americans Community.

BRIEF BACKGROUND OF THE ISSUE

It is known that the population of the Pine Ridge Indian Reservation faces a great deal of health problems including alcoholism, mental disorders as the consequences of alcoholism, dental problems and other diseases. (Huff, 2010, para.2)

It is found that “about 40% of children and about 60% of adults on the Pine Ridge Indian Reservation in South Dakota suffer from moderate to urgent dental needs, including infections and other problems that could be life-threatening”. This data was represented by the experts who conducted a study in South Dakota at the 68-th National Congress of American Indians Conference which was held in Portland. (Study of Pine Ridge Indian Reservation shows rampant dental disease, 2011, para.1) Terry Batliner, the representative of the Colorado School of Public Health state that the main reason of this problem is connected with “a severe shortage of dentists willing to practice in isolated areas”. (Study of Pine Ridge Indian Reservation shows rampant dental disease, 2011, para.3)

One more problem in this community is the highest rate of suicide. The president of the Pine Ridge tribe Theresa Two Bulls considers that many children kill themselves because they feel hopelessness. She says, “There’s just not a sense of belonging. There’s not a sense of a future. There’s alcoholism. The parents drink. A lot of the children drink.” (McGreal, 2010, para.6)

Moreover, she states that Native Americans in Pine Ridge reservation can be identified as “the third world” because of terrible living condition, lack of social support and healthcare services. There are about 45,000 Indians in the tribe. More than 80% of them are unemployed. The other problems in this community are connected with “a desperate shortage of housing”. It is found that more than fifteen people live in each home, while other residents live in cars and trailers. More than 1/3 of homes in Pine Ridge Indian reservation lack running water and electricity. Besides, the infant mortality rate is rather high. However, the most significant health problem is focused on the dependency on alcohol and the growth of diabetes among the population over the age of 40. (McGreal, 2010, para.10)

Besides, Stephanie M. Schwartz who is the member of the Native American Journalists Association reports the following significant information concerning health conditions and healthcare problems of the above mentioned Indian community. Such diseases as tuberculosis, cervical cancer, heart diseases, malnutrition and diabetic-related blindness and kidney failures are common. The well-known Federal Commodity Food Program which is active in the community supplies mostly inappropriate types of food with high level of carbohydrate and sugar for the diabetic population of the Reservation. Moreover, many residents of the reservation live without healthcare because they have no opportunity to travel vast distances in order to access qualified healthcare. Some additional factors concerning this issue include “under-funded and under-staffed medical facilities, as well as outdated or non-existent medical equipment”. (Schwartz, 2006, p.1)

ASSESSMENT OF THE OVERALL SIGNIFICANCE OF THE ISSUE

Taking into consideration the above mentioned information concerning health issues of the Pine Ridge Indian reservation, it is very important to assess the overall significance of the issue. It is clear that issue regarding healthcare that includes the diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of different diseases and injuries, plays a significant role in any community. Moreover, effective healthcare should be delivered by well-qualified specialists in medicine. Good healthcare increases performance and productivity of the working part of population and children at school. As healthcare is greatly influenced by both social and economic conditions, it requires special attention of the government.

It is known that the U.S. government pays attention to health issues of the Native Americans. The Indian Health Service in South Dakota mission is to provide high quality outreach healthcare services and disease prevention services to Native Americans of South Dakota. However, it is found that today the Indian Health Service in this area is in the so-call “chronic state of crisis”. (Dorgan, 2010, p.2)

Chairman Byron Dorgan investigated the issue concerning the effectiveness of the Indian Health Service and found a lot of deficiencies in management, financial integrity and oversight of the Indian Health Service facilities in this area. These weaknesses reduced the quality of health care services. That is why it was decided to develop special improvement plan. (Dorgan, 2010, p.46)

CONCLUSION

In conclusion, it is necessary to say that health issues are considered to be the most significant issues in any community including Native Americans community, because good health of community members guarantees successful development of social and economic situation in this or that area. The roles of leadership and governmental relationships are of great importance. It is possible to improve health of Native Americans in South Dakota by means of appropriate health care programs which should be developed by the U.S. government.