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Native American “Deaths of Despair” and Economic Conditions

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Abstract

Non-Hispanic whites who do not have a college degree have experienced an increase in “deaths of despair” – deaths caused by suicide, drug use, and alcohol use. Yet, deaths of despair are proportionally largest among Native Americans and the rate of increase of these deaths matches that of non-Hispanic white Americans. Native American women and girls face the largest differentials: deaths of despair comprise over 10% of all deaths among Native American women and girls – almost four times as high as the proportion of deaths for non-Hispanic white women and girls. However, the factors related to these patterns are very different for Native Americans than they are for non-Hispanic white Americans. Improvements in economic conditions are associated with decreased deaths from drug use, alcohol use, and suicide for non-Hispanic white Americans. On the other hand, in counties with higher labor force participation rates, lower unemployment, and higher ratios of employees to residents, there are significantly higher Native American deaths attributed to suicide and drug use. These results suggest that general improvements in local labor market conditions may not be associated with a reduction in deaths of despair for all groups.

Suggested Citation

  • Randall Akee & Donn L. Feir & Marina Mileo Gorzig & Samuel Myers Jr., 2022. "Native American “Deaths of Despair” and Economic Conditions," Opportunity and Inclusive Growth Institute Working Papers 062, Federal Reserve Bank of Minneapolis.
    • Handle: RePEc:fip:fedmoi:95874
    DOI: 10.21034/iwp.62
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    Keywords

    Economic conditions; Deaths of despair; Native American; Public health;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • I14 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Health - - - Health and Inequality
    • J15 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Demographic Economics - - - Economics of Minorities, Races, Indigenous Peoples, and Immigrants; Non-labor Discrimination

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