Alaska Native and Native Hawaiian communities continue to experience some of the highest health disparities in the nation, including lower life expectancy, higher rates of chronic disease, behavioral health challenges, and elevated suicide rates, particularly in remote and rural areas. Senator Lisa Murkowski raised these urgent concerns during a Senate committee hearing with National Institutes of Health Director Jayanta Bhattacharya.
During the exchange, Bhattacharya acknowledged the severe health needs facing these populations, citing higher rates of diabetes, high rates of alcoholism and drug abuse, and much lower life expectancy. He emphasized that the NIH has a special obligation—a special treaty obligation—to help address these disparities.
However, significant barriers to research and intervention exist. Bhattacharya noted that deep distrust toward researchers pervades these communities. Native populations don’t want scientists descending on them to conduct research without meaningful involvement. Instead, they want community participation in research that respects their autonomy and addresses their priorities.
The NIH director described efforts to build trust by ensuring Native communities have input into the research questions being asked and control over the biosamples they contribute to projects. This approach represents a shift toward collaborative research models that honor tribal sovereignty and community needs.
Murkowski emphasized that health disparities cannot be addressed by simply putting everybody in the same bucket and assuming a rising tide lifts all ships. Instead, targeted approaches focusing on why significant health disparities exist in specific populations are critical. She offered to connect NIH leadership with Alaska-based experts to further these discussions and develop more effective strategies for improving health outcomes in Native communities.
See: “Senator Murkowski Addresses Alaska Native Health Outcomes with NIH Director” (February 3, 2026)Â
