Binge drinking and tobacco use remain major health problems for urban-dwelling Native Americans regardless of their economic status, the Associated Press reported March 5.

More than half of Native Americans and Alaska Natives in the U.S. now live in cities. Unlike other races, researchers found, Native Americans often increased their binge drinking as their income rose.

"When Indian folks drink, it appears to have nothing to do with how much money they have, and that's not true for any other racial group," said Maile Taualii, scientific director at the Urban Indian Health Institute. "There seems to be a sense of hopelessness, a sense that diabetes, alcoholism and other health problems are inevitable in the community."

The study also found that Native Americans in urban areas also reported having problems getting access to healthcare, leading Taualii to advise that more attention must be paid to the health needs of this population. However, the Bush administration has moved repeatedly to cut funding for Urban Indian Health Programs.