Yagheli Ch'tsizlan

"We are getting healthier"

-Dena'ina Athabascan

Welcome!

In the Dena'ina Athabascan language Yagheli Ch'tsizlan means "we are getting healthier," and in many important ways this is true. Although we face many challenges, the Alaska Native community has made great strides in health over the years. This page highlights key Alaska Native health concerns. Addressing these concerns is an important step on the path towards getting healthier.

Click on the links to see what's going right...

• Breastfeeding Rates:
• • 90 % of Alaska Native Mothers are Breastfeeding! Way to Be!
• Alaska Native Mothers Exercise Rates:
• • Alaska Native Moms Report Exercising More
• Teen Smoking Rates:
• • The number of Alaska Native teens who smoke has gone down 30%!
• Alaska Native Unintentional Injury Rates:
• • 68% decrease in Alaska Native people who have drowned
  • 71% decrease in Alaska Native people who have died in a fire

• Adult Physical Activity Rates:
• • In some areas of Alaska 2 out of 3 Alaska Native people engage in regular physical activity.

Our Challenge...

• Birth Defect Rates:
• • More Alaska Native infants are born with birth defects then Alaska whites
• Obesity:
• • Alaska Native children are 2 times more likely to be overweight than children living in the rest of the country
• Suicide:
• • Alaska Native teens are 3 times more likely to attempt suicide compared to Alaska white teens
• Injury:
• • Alcohol is associated with more than 4 of every 10 serious injuries injures that require hospitalization of Alaska Native people
• Cancer:
• • AlaskaNative people are more than two times as likely to be diagnosed with colorectal cancer than U.S. whites 

Community Stories:

The following digital stories have been produced by different community members and voice their concerns with Alaska Native health and healthcare. Enjoy!

• Human Papilloma Virus (HPV) and the HPV vaccine

• • "What is HPV" by Allison 
  • " My experience with HPV " by Michelle
  • "My Mom Made Me Do It" by Patricia
  • "How to Prevent/ Reduce your chances of getting Cervical Cancer" by Vanessa
• Injury and Violence Prevention Workshop
• • "My Camp Story" by Melody
  • "Surviving Childhood Trauma" by Wynona
  • "Bullying"  by Angela
  • "Falling Into the River" by Alexandra
  • "Pathway to the Future" by Tiffany
  • "Passing the Torch" by Brenda
  • "Under the Umbrella of Safety" by Judy
  • "Uncle Nick" by Evelyn
  • "Freedom to Choose" by Barbara
  • "Angoon Bombardment" by Steven
• Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) and Sexually Transmitted Infections (STI) Workshop
• • "Do You Have Questions? Ask!" by Bobbie
  • "It Helps to Know about STD's" by Eliza
  • "HIV/STD Prevention" by Shawna
  • "Lets Talk About Sex" by Innay
  • "STD, HIV Movie" by Lyle
  • "It's Normal and It's Ok!" by Tiny
  • "Healing Song" by Charles
  • "Know Your Status" by Zeb
• Healthy Relationships and Sexually Transmitted Infections (STI) Workshop
• • "Waqaa Wiinga Cangnatuk" by Joanne
  • "Do I Care About My Body and Others Too? Yes, I Do." by Samantha
  • "Unexpected Pregnancy" by Stewart
  • "What's Everyone in a Hurry For?" by Leighton