Governor Bullock signed an executive order to address American Indian Health disparities today. Dave Parker with Governor Bullock's office said that on average Indian Americans living in Montana have a lower life expectancy than non-Indian Americans.

"The life expectancy of American Indians in Montana is 20 years less than their non-Indian neighbors, friends and coworkers," Parker said. "American Indian families are also more likely to suffer from cardiovascular disease, cancer, and respiratory illness."

An office in Helena will provide services close to those Indian Americans who live in and around the city.

"The Indian Health Sevices and what the state of Montana is doing is trying to figure out how to lessen disparity and things like that," Parker said.

Details on staffing and finances are still being discussed. An exact date of the office opening has not yet been released.

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