From: Indian Country Today
September 2012 the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) released a comprehensive profile of American Indian and Alaska Native (AI/AN) veterans. There are currently more than 154,000 AI/AN veterans. Although Native Americans serve in the U.S. Armed Forces at a higher rate per capita than any other ethnic group, the report, titled “American Indian and Alaska Service members and Veterans,” shows that in several key measures AI/AN vets are doing worse off than other vets. Here is a selection of important stats from the VA’s study.

7.1%

The unemployement rate of AI/AN vets

4.9%

The unemployment rate for vets of all other races

15.3%

The percentage of AI/AN vets who do not have health insurance

6.3%

The percentage of vets of all other races who do not have health insurance

36.4%

The percentage of AI/AN vets who suffer from one or more disability

26.2%

The percentage of vets of all other races who suffer from one or more disability

18.9%

The percentage of AI/AN vets who have a service-connected disability rating

15.6%

The percentage of vets of all other races who have a service-connected disability rating