Poverty Among American Indians and Alaskan Natives and Adults with Disabilities

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Part I
Poverty Among American Indians and Alaskan Natives
In a study by Hathaway (2021), in comparison to the national averages in the United States of poverty (15.6%), unemployment (5.8%), and per capita income ($27,036), all tribal geographic regions of American Indian and Alaskan Natives exhibited higher percentages of poverty, unemployment, and lower per capita income. Among these, the range of poverty percentages varied from 19.2% in the Oklahoma Area to 40.2% among the Navajo tribe. Unemployment percentages ranged from 6.4% in the Oklahoma Area to 18.3% among the Navajo tribe. These percentages are alarming compared to the national average.
Poverty Among Persons with Disabilities
The International Labour Organization (ILO) reports that approximately 386 million working-age individuals worldwide have some form of disability. In certain countries, the unemployment rate among people with disabilities is remarkably high, reaching up to 80 percent. There is a prevalent assumption among employers that individuals with disabilities are incapable of being employed. A survey conducted in the United States 2004 revealed that only 35% of working-age individuals with disabilities were employed, while the employment rate among those without disabilities was 78% (World Health Organization, n.d.). Most unemployed respondents with disabilities expressed their strong desire to work but faced challenges in finding suitable job opportunities (Beatty et al., 2019).
Psychological Assessment Tools
In line with the information stated, it is essential to assess the mental health and social well-being of persons with disabilities and American Indians/Alaskan Natives living in poverty. Many psychological assessment tools can be used to evaluate the connection between poverty, cultural identity, and disability. The Accountable Health Communities Health-Related Social Needs Screening Tool, the World Health Organization Disability Assessment Schedule (WHODAS 2.0), and the General Health Questionnaire 28 (GHQ-28).
Part II
Accountable Health Communities Health-Related Social Needs Screening Tool (AHC-HRSN)
The AHC-HRSN is a screening tool comprised of 10 primary items and an additional set of 16 questions. It aims to detect the specific needs of patients that can be addressed through community services. These needs are categorized into four domains: economic stability, social and community context, neighborhood and physical environment, and food (Kaiser Permanente, 2020; Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, 2019).
Importance of AHC-HRSN in Assessing the Effect of Poverty Among American Indians/Alaskan Natives
The mental health of individuals is intricately intertwined with the social, environmental, and economic circumstances that shape their lives from birth to aging. Notably, poverty and deprivation have been identified as significant determinants of both the social and behavioral development of children and the mental well-being of adults, as supported by various references (Maynard et al., 2018; Knifton & Inglis, 2020).
In particular, when examining the connection between poverty, American Indians/Alaskans, and the AHC-HRSN, it is vi...