Cardiovascular Disease Among Alaska Native Peoples

Abstract

Although Alaska Native peoples were thought to be protected from cardiovascular disease (CVD), data now show that this is not the case, despite traditional lifestyles and high omega-3 fatty acid intake. In this article, the current understanding of CVD and its risk factors among Alaska Native peoples, particularly among the Yupik and Inupiat populations, will be discussed, using data from three major studies funded by the National Institutes of Health: Genetics of Coronary Artery Disease among Alaska Natives (GOCADAN), Center for Native Health Research (CANHR), and Education and Research Towards Health (EARTH). Data from these epidemiologic studies have focused concern on CVD and its risk factors among Alaska Native peoples. This review will summarize the findings of these three principal studies and will suggest future directions for research and clinical practice.

Keywords: Alaska natives; Cardiovascular disease; Coronary heart disease; Epidemiology; Eskimos; Review; Stroke.

Conflict of interest statement

Compliance with Ethics Guidelines

Conflict of Interest

S.E. Jolly has received a grant from the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (1K23DK091363- 52901).

B.V. Howard has received a grant and administrative support from the MedStar Health Research Institute.

J.G. Umans has received a grant from the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute for the GOCADAN project, funded by U01HL064244.

Human and Animal Rights and Informed Consent

This article does not contain any studies with human or animal subjects performed by any of the authors.