Chronic liver is among the leading causes of death among the Alaska Natives and American Indian population. The Alaska natives and the American Indians make about 1.5 percent of America’s population. They are a group of Americans living in poverty and affected by various health conditions including chronic liver disease. The chronic liver disease accounts for about 4.8 percent of deaths in Aboriginal Northern American population. The chronic liver is a condition that damages the liver, which is an essential organ used in the digestion of food and getting rid of the toxic substances in the body. Chronic liver malady is mainly caused by excessive intake of alcohol, viruses, and can also be inherited. According to the 2013 statistics, the chronic liver was the number five cause of deaths among the Alaska Natives and the American Indian population (Suryaprasad et al., 2014). The most affected by this condition are the men aging 35 to 64 due to prolonged alcohol intake. The American Indian and Alaska Natives population are vulnerable to chronic liver disease compared to the non-Hispanic natives.
Chronic liver disease has no particular cause. However, the causes of the chronic liver in the American Indians and Alaska natives is linked to the exposure to Hepatitis B and C viruses, autoimmune hepatitis, chronic alcoholism. Moreover, the condition is also related to nonalcoholic fatty liver disease and primary biliary cirrhosis. Chronic liver disease can also be influenced by genetic factors and the cultural traits of the vulnerable population. According to Scott and Garland, alcoholism and Hepatitis Viruses are the leading causes of CLD, which accounts for several deaths amongst the aboriginal North Americans (2008). Nevertheless, alcoholism is the primary cause of chronic alcoholism in the American Indians and Alaska natives.
In addition, another cause of chronic liver in American Indians and Alaska native population is health disparities. There are health disparities/inequalities in this population compared to other groups in America. Therefore, most of them are affected because of the differences in the health system since they are unable to get quality health care and medication. The global health of the American Indians and Alaska natives is suboptimal compared to the rest of the Americans. The mortality rates due to CLD is high in the aboriginals compared to the general natives and other racial groups.
The American Indians and Alaska native population face serious health disparities that come as a result of lack of funding for their health care by the HIS system. The above population is underfunded medically, and this leads to the spread of liver disease amongst them because of lack of any or rather proper treatment. The health care services for the American Indians and Alaska natives are limited, and this affects their entire health due to lack of access to quality health services. The Aboriginal Northern Americans have endured discrimination and an injustice legacy including health disparities (Scott and Garland, 2008). As a result, this makes the population more vulnerable to the condition.
Chronic liver disease has become a threat to the American Indians and Alaska natives. Chronic liver illness progressively destroys the liver, which later on leads to liver cirrhosis or even fibrosis. According to Scott and Garland, many American Indian and Alaska native populations suffering from this condition go undiagnosed and even untreated during its early stages (Scott and Garland, 2008). Therefore, a better understanding of its diagnosis, prevention, management and cure should be key for all medical providers t cater for the medication for this population. As a result, it is significant to find a comprehensive prevention and care strategies to tackle the chronic liver disease epidemic among American Indians and Alaska natives. Chronic liver diseases have no known treatment so far, but it is important to treat all the types of hepatitis that are present in a patient with the chronic liver illness. However, there are different methods that are used to control the spread of CLD and for its management in American Indians and Alaska natives. For instance, it can be prevented through immunization in the cases of hepatitis A and B (Jones, 2006). In addition, chronic liver diseases can be avoided by stopping the excessive intake of alcohol, which is the main cause of the disease.
In addition, American Indians and Alaska natives suffering from this condition should maintain a healthy weight by eating a well-balanced diet with low fats. In addition, chronic liver disease can be managed through regular physical activities, and avoiding alcohol and other drugs (Scott and Garland, 2008). Alcoholism causes severe damage to the liver, and if stopped, it can reduce further damage thus improving the health of the patient. Patients with chronic liver conditions can undergo a liver transplant, and this can only be done when an individual quits drinking alcohol. Therefore, since the chronic liver disease has no reliable treatment, and has caused several deaths among the American Indians and Alaska natives, it is vital for to conduct future research on its etiology and treatment Aboriginal Northern American populations.
Social and cultural influences play a role in the lack of treatment chronic liver disease. Most American Indians and Alaska natives use tribal rituals and alternative medicine to treat many medical conditions. Their culture allows them to use natural remedies for treatment, which affects the control of the spread of chronic liver disease among the Aboriginal Northern Americans. The use of natural substances in trying to treat chronic liver diseases affects their health thus causing deaths due to chronic liver disease (Suryaprasad et al., 2014).
In conclusion, chronic liver disease is a condition common in Aboriginal North Americans who are the American Indians and Alaska natives. It is among the common causes of death among the American Indians and Alaska natives. The leading etiology of chronic liver disease in Aboriginal North Americans is alcoholism, but it also caused by the viruses from hepatitis B and C illnesses. Nonetheless, even though alcoholism is said to be the leading causes, it is vital to consider other causes, which are not related to alcohol. Chronic Liver disease is a threat to the American Indians and Alaska natives but with a timely diagnosis and treatment, the disease can be managed while its effects are mitigated. Chronic liver disease (CLD) has become a burden and a significant cause of mortality and morbidity in American Indians and Alaska natives. The condition is expected to increase in the imminent thus this calls for future research to monitor the situation and find a cure. In addition, a study is needed to help answer the many unanswered questions about the etiology and pathophysiology of the chronic liver sickness and its complications.
References
Jones, D. S. (2006). The persistence of American Indian health disparities. Am J Public Health, 96, 2122–2134.
Scott, J. D. & Garland, N. (2008). Chronic Liver Disease in Aboriginal North Americans. World Journal of Gastroenterology, 14(29), 4607-4615.
Suryaprasad, A. et al. (2014). Mortality Caused by Chronic Liver Disease Among American Indians and Alaska Natives in the United States, 1999-2009. American Journal of Public Health, 104(3), 350-358.
