Native Americans : Cultural Diversity, Health Issues & Challenges

The first chapter of this book traces the rise of the idea of Manifest Destiny, showing how it contributed to the historical traumatisation experienced by Native American tribes during an initial period in U.S. history (1790-1890). Illustrations of renewal and revitalisation among present-day Native Americans, and an interpretation of their wider significance for our contemporary world are examined. In the second chapter, the relatedness of First America Inhabitants is explored with Pacific Islanders by using autosomal genetic markers: the HLA alleles. HLA is the most polymorphic human genetic system and is most useful for comparing populations'' relatedness. The ethnic groups of Pacific Islanders, First America inhabitants and other World Populations were used. The authors of the third chapter use longitudinal data to examine mediational mechanisms that account for the relationship between ethnic identity and self-esteem among American Indian youth. The authors of the last chapter of this book explore the effect of food assistance on American Indian women''s food choices and the role of food assistance programs in improving food choices and diet quality in vulnerable populations.