A general inquiry into the health status of the Nottawaseppi Huron Band of Potawatomi and the risk factors associated with their non-insulin dependent diabetes mellitus

Abstract

Introduction: The purpose of this thesis is to investigate the relationship between cultural lifestyle, perceived health status and non-insulin dependent diabetes mellitus (NIDDM) among the Nottawaseppi Huron Band of Potawatomi. The specific focus of this work is to survey the health risk behaviors and self perceived health status indicators of the Nottawaseppi to determine whether there is a significant correlation with the presence of NIDDM in the survey respondents. In addition of this thesis also focuses on identifying health care policies related to NrffiP Native Americans that will promote positive, policy formation and planning within the Nottawaseppi community to reduce NIDDM. Chapter I will provide the context for the study. It begins by identifying the most prominent health related issues faced by Native American communities within the boundaries of the United States, focusing on the incidence of diabetes mellitus. The chapter concludes with a general list of the challenges and impact of diabetes in Native communities. Chapter II examines a range of literature in several disciplines to identify historical interpretations and approaches to the study of diabetes among Native populations. This chapter concludes with a focus on the Nottawaseppi Huron Band of Potawatomi in Michigan, which was the population studied for this research. Chapter III describes the design and methods for the study. This chapter describes the survey conducted to generate data on the Nottawaseppi Huron Band of Potawatomi Indians in Michigan. The chapter also provides a general medical profile of the tribe and provides a theoretical model to be used in future studies. Chapter IV presents the descriptive findings, while Chapter V presents the significant analytical findings. Chapter VI presents some of the planning and policy implications for the work delineated in this study.