The Kansas Department of Health and Environment released a study on Wednesday outlining health disparities affecting American Indians and other minorities.

According to the report, nearly one in three Indians smoke, the highest rate in the state. Among youth, Indian junior high and high school students have the highest rates of tobacco and marijuana usage.

Indians in the state are 72 percent more likely to die from diabetes that the rest of the population, the report said. Indians also report higher rates of risk behaviors that lead to injury and death.

The report was presented during the state's first minority health conference.

Get the Story:
Study finds health care disparities persist for minorities (The Lawrence Journal-World 4/14)
Minority groups face significant health care disadvantages (Kansas Department of Health and Environment 4/13)

Get the Report:
Racial and Ethnic Minority Health Disparities in Kansas: A Data and Chartbook (April 2005)