AIL 2026-04-21 The Hidden Crisis in Native American Life Expectancy - Jacob Bor, Michael E. Bird

About this episode

The episode discusses the alarming life expectancy crisis among Native Americans, highlighting underreported mortality rates and health disparities.

Dr. Jacob Bor, SD, Associate Professor, Departments of Global Health and Epidemiology, Boston University School of Public Health and Michael E. Bird, MSW, MPH (Kewa Pueblo), Past President of the American Public Health Association, paint a chilling picture of how Native Americans are dying as early as residents of a third-world country like Bangladesh, rather than having the longevity benefits enjoyed by most of those living in the United States. You will learn how these startling death rates have not been recognized until recently, due to the misclassification of many Native Americans. The full scientific study featured in the program is: Bor J, Bird M, et al. Life expectancy of American Indian and Alaska Native persons and underreporting of mortality in vital statistics. JAMA. 2025; 334(3):243-252. doi:10.1001/jama.2025.8126. For Further Information, visit: www.AIANL.org . Hosted by Drs. David DeRose and Joni Bokovoy (Cherokee Nation). American Indian and Alaska Native Living, is a one-hour weekly talk show focusing on current health issues in Indian country presented by David DeRose MD, MPH. This program covers a broad range of health issues, viewed in a holistic way in…

People in this episode

Hosts: David DeRose, Joni Bokovoy

Guests: Jacob Bor, Michael E. Bird

Topics covered

• Native American health
• life expectancy
• public health
• epidemiology
• mortality rates
• health disparities

Keywords

• Native American
• life expectancy
• health crisis
• mortality
• public health
• epidemiology
• disparities
• Jacob Bor
• Michael E. Bird

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: Boston University School of Public Health, American Public Health Association, LifeTalk Radio Network, JAMA

Books & works: Life expectancy of American Indian and Alaska Native persons and underreporting of mortality in vital statistics

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