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During American Indian/Alaska Native Heritage Month, we highlight
opportunities to address issues that impact the health of these women in our
communities.
American Indians/Alaska
Natives have the highest prevalence of cigarette smoking compared to all other
racial/ethnic groups in the United States. Nationally, lung cancer is
the leading cause of cancer death among American Indians and Alaska Natives. Some American Indians use tobacco for
ceremonial, religious, or medicinal purposes. For this reason, it is important
to make the distinction between commercial and traditional tobacco use. 
Source: Tobacco Control: A Winnable Battle; Slide 9
- More American Indian/Alaska Native women smoke during their last 3 months of pregnancy—26.0% compared to 14.3%
of whites, 8.9% of African Americans, 3.4% of Hispanics, and 2.1% of
Asians/Pacific Islanders.
American
Indians/Alaska Natives have a higher risk of experiencing tobacco-related disease and death due to high prevalence of cigarette smoking and other commercial
tobacco use.
- Cardiovascular
disease is the leading cause of death among American Indians/Alaska Natives.
- Lung
cancer is the leading cause of cancer deaths among American Indians/Alaska
Natives.
- Diabetes
is the fourth leading cause of death among American Indians/Alaska Natives. The
risk of developing diabetes is 30–40% higher for smokers than nonsmokers.
What Women Can Do:
What Health Professionals Can Do: - Know how tobacco impacts the health of women:
- Women and Smoking
- Smoking and Reproduction
- Information for Health Care Providers and Public Health Professionals: Preventing Tobacco Use During Pregnancy
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