NOVA Season 11 Episode 20 Make My People Live: The Crisis in Indian Health Care

Make My People Live: The Crisis in Indian Health Care is an episode of NOVA's 11th season that explores the state of health care for Native Americans in the United States. The episode delves into the issue of health care disparities that exist between Native American communities and the rest of the population.

The episode takes a deep dive into the history behind the creation of the Indian Health Service (IHS), a federal agency responsible for providing health care services to Native Americans. It discusses how the IHS was established as a result of the government's treaty obligations with Native American tribes.

Despite being established to meet the health care needs of Native Americans, the IHS has consistently been underfunded. This has resulted in a significant gap in health care services, which has led to worse health outcomes for Native Americans compared to other ethnic and racial groups. The episode provides a clear picture of the struggles that Native Americans face when it comes to accessing quality health care.

Throughout the episode, viewers get to see the stories of several Native Americans who have been affected by the lack of health care services. These individuals share their experiences and provide a personal perspective on the difficulties that face members of their communities. Additionally, the episode presents insights from healers and health care officials who provide valuable commentary on the issue of health care for Native Americans.

The episode also highlights some of the efforts that have been made to improve health care services for Native Americans. For instance, viewers get to learn about the use of telemedicine to provide remote access to health care services. The episode also discusses the importance of traditional medicine and how it can be used alongside Western medicine to achieve better health outcomes.

Overall, Make My People Live: The Crisis in Indian Health Care is a highly informative episode that sheds light on a significant health care issue. It provides a comprehensive overview of the challenges that Native Americans face when it comes to accessing quality health care. The personal stories shared by members of the community help to create a greater understanding of the issue and highlight the urgent need for solutions to be found.