Application of a RE-AIM framework to assess the impact of the Southwest American Indian Collaborative Network

In response to a Request for Proposals from the National Cancer Institute (NCI), the Inter Tribal Council of Arizona (ITCA) along with health care partners from the Phoenix Indian medical Center (PIMC) and academic partners from the Arizona Cancer Center (ACC) at the University of Arizona (UA), and the University of Nevada Las Vegas (UNLV) established a Community Network Program entitled the Southwest American Indian Collaborative Network (SAICN). The ultimate goal of the SAICN project was to “eliminate cancer health disparities by closing the gap between the health needs of the community and cancer prevention and control made possible by a responsive health delivery and research system.” At the close of the 5-year funding period for the SAICN project, a RE-AIM framework provided an important evaluative tool for identifying areas of potential long term impact

Secondary Data Analysis: A Non-Pharmacology Treatment for Individuals Living with HIV/AIDS

At the end of 2015, 36.7 million people were living with HIV/AIDS world wide (WHO, 2017). Living with this disease puts individuals at increased risk for mental and physical health complications. Opportunistic infections and increased serious mental health conductions are common (NIH, 2016). Advances in antiretroviral therapies have been made to increase life expectancy but often times can adversely affect the individuals quality of life. Complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) is one way to help improve quality of life. One form of CAM, massage therapy may offer benefits to PLWHA in terms of ability to cope with stress

Native American Identity: A Review of Twenty-first Century Research

The purpose of this literature review is to exam research on Native American identity within the social sciences in the twenty-first century in order to identify trends in research topics, various perspectives, and potential future studies, through the review of a sample of 86 publications relating to the topic of Native American identity. The sample was retrieved utilizing three scholarly databases across a wide range of fields of study. Publications are examined by area of focus and publication year

In Search of Young American Indian/Alaska Native Scientists

This article introduces the work that was done through the Coordinating Center at the University of Nevada Las Vegas

Determining Fish Mercury Levels: An Alaska Native/Napaskiak Subsistence Food Source

Alaska Natives living in rural areas rely on subsistence fishing throughout the year as their primary source of food. The purpose of this project is to determine the levels of mercury (Hg) in fish commonly consumed by Alaska Natives. Mercury naturally cycles throughout the environment between air, water, and land. Because it is a heavy metal, when it enters an ocean, lake, or river it sinks to the bottom where plankton, bottom feeder fish, and organisms consume it. Mercury becomes dangerously concentrated as it passes through the food chain through a process called biomagnification. Biomagnification occurs when a small fish with low levels of mercury is consumed by a bigger fish that is then consumed by a bigger fish. Each time a fish is consumed higher up on the food chain the concentration of mercury biomagnifies. The primary route of exposure to Hg for humans is through fish consumption. Studies show that consuming fish with high levels of mercury can lead to adverse health effects. Our project will examine the levels of mercury in three types of fish using an atomic absorption Hg analyzer: king salmon (Oncorhynchus tshawytscha), chum salmon (Onocorhynchus keta), and pike (Esox Lucius). Results are pending on completion of analysis. We hypothesize that pike fish will contain the highest level of mercury due to its nature of feeding at the bottom of the river

Type 2 Diabetes Science and American Indian / Alaska Native Culture: Creating a National K-12 Curriculum Prevention Strategy for Native Youth

Preventing and reducing the onset of type 2 diabetes among American Indian/Alaska Native youth requires educational strategies to affect knowledge, attitudes, and cognitive decision-making skills. In an unparalleled effort to address the growing epidemic of type 2 diabetes in tribal communities, eight tribal colleges and three federal agencies collaborated to develop and implement a kindergarten-through-twelfth-grade (K–12) Diabetes Education in Tribal Schools curriculum. This article outlines the scientific and cultural development of a comprehensive K–12 science curriculum as a targeted health prevention strategy

Investigating the Aquatic Ecosystem of the Kenektok River in Quinhagak, Alaska

Water quality is defined by several characteristics: chemical, physical, biological, and radiological. Water quality is important in Alaskan communities due to the reliance of subsistence hunting like fishing to meet cultural and spiritual needs. A healthy aquatic system is achieved when water quality is not altered or disturbed. The objective of this project is to determine the water quality of the Kenektok River in Quinhagak, Alaska. The La Motte Water monitoring kit was used in this project to determine any chemical, physical, biological, and radiological disturbances. Three water samples were taken from different locations, approximately 1 meter apart, along the Kenektok River, and each were tested for coliform bacteria, dissolved oxygen, biochemical oxygen, nitrate, pH, turbidity, temperature, and phosphate. Across all testing sites, dissolved oxygen, biochemical oxygen, nitrate, pH, turbidity, phosphate was ranked good to excellent quality. However, each testing site was positive for coliform bacteria. Further investigation of these sites will be needed in order to confirm if the Kenektok River aquatic ecosystem has been disturbed

The Convergence of Science and Culture: Developing a Framework for Diabetes Education in Tribal Communities

In an unprecedented effort to address the epidemic of diabetes in tribal communities, the Diabetes Education in Tribal Schools project brought together a group of individuals from eight tribal colleges and three federal agencies to develop a diabetes prevention curriculum for American Indian and Alaska Native school children. The curriculum incorporates Western and Native science with culturally responsive teaching techniques. Both the project and its evaluation process have reached beyond conventional bounds to acknowledge fundamental issues of tribal culture, history and health and the integration of science, culture, and community. This article will discuss the challenges and rewards of the inter-cultural dynamics of the project’s development process, the tribal community context within which the curriculum will be implemented, and the necessary convergence of science and culture, requisite for education in this population and the elimination of diabetes-related health disparities

Patterns of Commodity Food Use among American Indians

Objectives: To better understand risks for obesity and diabetes among American Indians. Methods: Adults from tribes across the country surveyed to explore commodity food use patterns and food choice. Results: Respondents reported second and third generation commodity food use. Current commodity users stated preferences for canned and packaged meals and were more likely to participate in other federal food programs. Conclusions: Low-income, nutritionally stressed families relying on federal food programs may be at increased risk of obesity and diet-related chronic conditions due to long-term use of foods that are high in fat and calories and low in fiber

Culture, Caregiving, and Health: Exploring the Influence of Culture on Family Caregiver Experiences

Ethnic minorities are expected to experience a greater demand for family caregiving than non-Latino Whites due to their projected population growth. Although the consensus of researchers on caregiving and culture finds that the caregiving experience differs significantly among cultural/ethnic groups, the question remains as to how cultural values and norms influence the caregiver experiences. We conducted an interpretative, phenomenological qualitative analysis of focus group transcripts from four groups (African American, Asian American, Hispanic American, and European American) for cultural influences on caregiving. Data were collected in Nevada between December 7, 2009, and August 20, 2010. Thirty-five caregivers participated in this study. We found commonalities among all of the cultural/ethnic groups in their experiences of the difficulties of caregiving. However, there were some significant differences in the cultural values and norms that shaped the caregiving experience. We categorized these differences as: (a) cultural embeddedness of caregiving, (b) cultural determinants of caregiving responsibilities or taxonomy of caregiving, and (c) cultural values and norms underlying the decision to provide care. The significance of this study is that it highlights the culturally perceived mandate to provide care in the African, Asian, and Hispanic American cultures