Native American Life Expectancy: New Data Reveals Lower Rates
- records dramatically underestimate mortality rates and life expectancy for American Indian and Alaska Native (AI/AN) populations.The research highlights a meaningful discrepancy in reported health outcomes.
- The study, which tracked mortality outcomes among self-identified AI/AN individuals, found that their life expectancy is 6.5 years lower than the national average.
- researchers discovered that 41% of AI/AN deaths were misclassified in the CDC WONDER database, predominantly as "White." This skewed official statistics, showing mortality rates only 5% higher than...
Shocking new data reveals that U.S. records severely underestimate the mortality rates and the life expectancy of American Indian and Alaska Native (AI/AN) populations. This critical study highlights significant discrepancies in reported health outcomes,with AI/AN life expectancy a staggering 6.5 years below the national average. Researchers found widespread racial misclassification skewing vital statistics - with 41% of AI/AN deaths wrongly categorized. The article discusses how misidentification obscures the specific needs of those communities. California, home too a large AI/AN population, plays a key role in addressing these data inaccuracies. News Directory 3 is committed to reporting the facts. Discover what’s next for improving data accuracy and health equity.
Study: U.S. Data Underestimates Native American Mortality
Updated June 19, 2025
A recent study indicates that official U.S. records dramatically underestimate mortality rates and life expectancy for American Indian and Alaska Native (AI/AN) populations.The research highlights a meaningful discrepancy in reported health outcomes.
The study, which tracked mortality outcomes among self-identified AI/AN individuals, found that their life expectancy is 6.5 years lower than the national average. The life expectancy for AI/AN individuals was just 72.7 years, comparable to that of developing countries. Researchers linked data from the Census Bureau and the CDC’s National Vital Statistics System from 2008-2019.
researchers discovered that 41% of AI/AN deaths were misclassified in the CDC WONDER database, predominantly as “White.” This skewed official statistics, showing mortality rates only 5% higher than the national average. After adjusting for misclassifications, the actual rate was 42% higher.
Nanette Star, director of policy and planning at the California Consortium for Urban Indian Health, said racial misclassification is a long-standing issue. She noted that using broad terms like “Indigenous” can obscure the specific needs and identities of AI/AN communities,leading to their erasure in data and public discourse.
“when AI/AN people are misclassified in life and in death, it distorts public health data and drives inequities even deeper,” Star said. “Accurate data isn’t just about numbers – it’s about honoring lives, holding systems accountable and making sure our communities are seen and served.”
Star added that misclassification occurs throughout life,distorting public health data and masking health disparities,especially in urban areas like Los Angeles,where Native individuals are often misidentified as Latino or multiracial.
The lack of accurate data exacerbates health disparities, hindering targeted responses and funding for interventions.California, home to the largest AI/AN population, has an chance to lead in collaborative and accurate data collection.
Star suggested training programs for data recorders, including funeral directors and law enforcement, and strengthening partnerships with tribal leaders to improve accuracy.
What’s next
California could implement targeted training programs for those charged with recording this data, allocate dedicated resources to improve the accuracy of racial classification on vital records; and strengthen partnerships with tribal leaders.