Our community partner, the Mississippi Band of Choctaw Indians (MBCI), is doing great things to improve our state’s health. Their work seeks to improve each part of their community, from health and wellness to education and job opportunities. Read on to learn more!
MBCI’s service area is wide. It includes communities spread across the Choctaw Indian Reservation, a sprawling collective containing more than 35,000 acres of land distributed across ten different counties in Mississippi. With over 11,000 members in its tribe, MBCI represents the largest community of Choctaw Indians in the state.
American Indians (AI)—and by extension Choctaw Indians—have historically been underrepresented in Census and health data. In 2012, the US Census Bureau published a press release stating it undercounted American Indians living on reservations by 4.9%.
To gather more accurate data on American Indian and Alaska Native communities, the Census developed the American Community Survey (ACS). According to findings from the ACS, 1,931,362 people identified as American Indian in 2015, representing less than 2% of the total US population. Low representation in health studies, and health statistics, can negatively impact a community’s health.
In this 2017 study, the CDC found that compared with other racial or ethnic groups, American Indians have a “lower life expectancy, lower quality of life, and are disproportionately affected by many chronic conditions.”
Researchers also found that American Indians were two times more likely than white Americans to be diabetic while also being less likely to have access to a personal health care provider. The study suggested that the “small sample size” in previous behavioral studies made it difficult to determine the right course of action for improving community health for American Indians.
Our work with community health partners and organizations across the state have shown that improving people’s connection to the health resources they need, i.e. improving social determinants of health, is vital to improving community health.
MBCI does that by serving as a nexus for community members to access health resources–like the ones provided by Choctaw Health Center. Based in Choctaw, Mississippi, Choctaw Health Center is one of only a few hospitals designed to meet the needs of the Choctaw community, and provides a range of services from behavioral health to preventative care and inpatient services.
In 2020, Choctaw Health Center helped administer 100 COVID-19 vaccine doses to Choctaw frontline health workers. It has continued to serve as a vital community health resource for administering additional treatment and vaccination to tribe members during the pandemic.
MBCI also acts as a resource for job opportunities and community engagement. This past year, they’ve hosted holiday food drives, began constructing a new Boys and Girls Club in Pearl River, and donated money through their Economic Development branch to help community members start their own businesses. They’re very active on Facebook, updating their feed with the latest job or scholarship opportunity, as well as fun community events like golf scramble or their annual Christmas decorating contest.
We’re proud to spotlight our partner MCBI as an example of how impactful community-focused organizations can be in creating healthier outcomes for our state. Click here to learn more about the Mississippi Band of Choctaw Indians. Be sure to follow them on Facebook for updates on their work!
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