Answer:
Explanation:
During the 19th century, the forced relocation of Native Americans onto reservations did indeed contribute to poor health and an increase in the death rate. There were several factors that contributed to these negative health outcomes:
Loss of traditional lands and resources: Native Americans were often displaced from their ancestral lands, which disrupted their traditional way of life and access to natural resources. This loss of land and resources had a severe impact on their ability to maintain their traditional diets, engage in traditional practices such as hunting and gathering, and access clean water sources.
Limited access to healthcare: Native Americans on reservations often faced significant barriers to accessing healthcare services. Reservations were often located in remote or isolated areas with limited healthcare infrastructure. Additionally, the healthcare services that were available were often underfunded and understaffed, leading to inadequate healthcare provision.
Poverty and socioeconomic disadvantages: The forced relocation onto reservations often resulted in economic marginalization and poverty for Native American communities. Poverty is closely linked to poor health outcomes, as it limits access to nutritious food, safe housing, clean water, and healthcare services.
Loss of cultural identity and disrupted social structures: The forced assimilation policies imposed on Native Americans during this period led to the loss of cultural identity and disrupted social structures within their communities. These cultural and social disruptions can have profound effects on mental health and overall well-being.
Exposure to infectious diseases: The close living conditions on reservations, often with inadequate sanitation and healthcare services, increased the risk of infectious diseases spreading within Native American communities. Diseases such as tuberculosis, measles, and influenza had devastating impacts on the health and mortality rates of Native Americans during this time.