A decade-long study shows American Indians in North Dakota are dying decades earlier than their white neighbors, underscoring the depth of health inequities facing Indigenous communities.
From 2010 to 2019, the median age at death for American Indian men in the state was 55, compared to 77 for white men. For women, the gap was equally stark: 62 for American Indian women versus 85 for white women. Overall, American Indians died an average of 22.5 years younger than white residents.
The leading causes of death were heart disease, cancer, and accidents, which together accounted for more than half of all American Indian deaths in North Dakota. The data also showed alarmingly high rates of influenza, pneumonia, septicemia, and suicide. For instance, American Indian women aged 25–34 were nine times more likely to die of pneumonia than their white peers, while suicide rates among American Indian girls ages 5–14 were more than 15 times higher.
Researchers pointed to persistent social and economic barriers as drivers of these disparities. Many American Indians in North Dakota live in poverty, lack health insurance, and face limited access to medical care. These conditions, combined with historical trauma and ongoing systemic inequities, contribute to shorter lifespans and higher rates of preventable deaths.
The authors urged that solutions must center American Indian voices, calling for culturally responsive care, better policies, and stronger partnerships with tribal organizations and health systems.
See: “Premature mortality patterns among American Indians in North Dakota, 2010–2019 (pre-pandemic)” (February 26, 2025)
