Native American Tribes Say Study of Wyoming Minority Health ‘Flawed,’ Reinforces Stereotypes

A study by the Wyoming Primary Care Association on the health problems of Wyoming's minority populations "promotes negative stereotypes" of American Indians and used "flawed" techniques to gather data, critics of the study say. The AP/Billings Gazette reports that the study, called the Minority Health Report, found that American Indians have the "least access to health care" and the "highest mortality rates in the state." However, Clarence Thomas, director of Eastern Shoshone Tribal Health, said the study was inaccurate because it was based solely on telephone surveys and therefore "represented perceived versus real norms." He added, "You have to do one-on-one personal interviews and use Indian Health Service data. ... If we don't get real norms, then we cannot come up with proper and adequate ways to proceed." Bev Morrow, WPCA executive director, said the study is a place to "start," adding, "This will point out areas where there are disparities in health coverage so we can address those problems." However, Thomas also said the health needs of the tribes are "well known," and that studies like the WPCA report have "not benefited the tribes." Instead, Thomas is pushing for the tribe to have its own health program certified, which would allow it to compete with the state for federal funding. The certification process will likely take "six years or more" to finish. He added, "We are tired of studies being generated and the state using the numbers to obtain funding which is then diverted away from the reservation" (AP/Billings Gazette, 5/10).