Andria Begay

Date of Award

January 2025

Document Type

Dissertation

Degree Name

Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)

Department

Indigenous Health

First Advisor

Collette Adamsen

Abstract

Health is a holistic concept within Indigenous communities, emphasizing the balance and interconnectedness of mind, body, and spirit. This dissertation explores the health and wellbeing of American Indian and Alaska Native Elders, with each of the products for this three-part portfolio, targeting different health matters that are often overlooked among Elders, aged 55 years and older. Using secondary data from National Resource Center on Native American Aging’s 2020-2023 cycle of the Identifying our Needs: A Survey of Elders, I conducted three quantitative research analyses with chi-square tests and binary logistic regressions to assess the association and differences in variables. Manuscript one examines the relationship between traditional food consumption and chronic disease prevalence among American Indian and Alaska Native Elders. Elders reported lower odds of a chronic disease diagnosis when consuming traditional foods more frequently per week. Findings from the study have implications for informing tribal food sovereignty and traditional food reclamation efforts. Manuscript two examines the association between multigenerational housing and mental wellness among American Indian and Alaska Native Elders. A total of 13,918 Elders who resided in a single-family residence or apartment were included in the analysis. There was a statistically significant increase in happiness among those who reported living with two or more people than those who lived alone. Elders who lived alone reported higher percentages of depression than those who had two or more people in a household. The findings for this study highlight the need for continued research on housing and living conditions to inform culturally safe housing initiatives for Elders. Manuscript three examines the relationship between brain health and oral health among American Indian and Alaska Native Elders. Respondents who indicated having one or more memory issues reported higher rates of needing dental care than those with no memory issues. This study has implications for future public health efforts to address dental care shortages and increasing oral healthcare access throughout Indian Country. Elders play a vital role in the maintenance and transmission of traditional knowledge and practices. Therefore, each manuscript contributes to strengthening and informing Elder health and wellbeing efforts.

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