American Indian Public Health: An Emerging Discipline

Conference:  Pathways Into Health
Rapid City, SD

This conference is intended to coordinate opportunities in health professions education for American Indians.  I was able to introduce the concept of AI Public Health as an academic discipline and the curriculum that includes AI Health Policy, AI Health Disparities, Cultural Competence in Indian Health, Research in Tribal Communities, Case Studies in Indian Health, among others.  The concept was well-received and we have several potential students who are interested in joining our program at NDSU!

ND Medicaid Tribal Consultation

The purpose of this meeting is to identify areas for improved collaboration among ND Medicaid programs (medical, behavioral health, long term care, etc) and tribes and IHS.  ND Medicaid Director Maggie Anderson chairs these meetings, and we have identified several new options to improve coordination of services among the state Medicaid system and IHS and tribal programs!  I will keep you posted...

American Indian Healthcare and Wound Care

FirstNative Wound Care Conference
Native Nations Events
Morongo, CA

In addition to all of our other health disparities, American Indians have higher rates of diabetic foot infections, amputations, and disabilities than other populations.  The purpose of this conference was to highlight new technologies that have been very successful at reducing amputations.  My presentation focused on some of the challenges we face in trying to provide health services in impoverished communities and with an under-funded Indian Health Service.  We are looking to develop pilot programs with specific tribal communities to demonstrate the cost savings and improved outcomes by using a more aggessive approach to addressing diabetic ulcerations and wound infections.

NDSU MPH Program

I was able to present information and goals regarding the NDSU MPH Program at the NDSU Pharmacy National Advisory Board.  The information was well-received, and the Advisory Board is happy with our progress!

Planning meeting for the World Diabetes Congress in Melbourne, Australia--December 2013

I am on the planning committee for the WDC Melbourne conference.  We anticipate several thousand participants from around the world to attend this meeting.  I presented at the last two conferences on International Indigenous Diabetes in Melbourne, Australia and in Copenhagen, Denmark.  I am on the planning team for the Indigenous Peoples Stream--I will be providing a keynote address and I will be moderating two panels, including a Traditional Healers Panel!  We will have traditional healers presenting on their perspectives on diabetes from American Indian, Alaska Native, Aboriginal Australian, and Moari (New Zealand)--this will be a very exciting event!

Traditional Approaches to Child and Family Health

Fargo-MoorheadAmerican Indian Education Program
3rd Annual Wellness Conference
Fargo, ND (Fargo Dome)

The purpose of this conference is to promote wellness among AI students and families in F-M schools.  The presentation provided an overview of traditional Lakota approaches to child and family health.  Some of my favorite quotes: "A child is sacred.  And when a child comes into the home, the family must welcome it.  And if the child feels the want, he will come into this world very, very strong, and not to know this is to know nothing."  Blackfeet.

Unfortunately, the social circumstances many of our children face are very difficult.  With family and community support, we can encourage our youth to finish school and to be very, very strong.  Another quote: "You are only as happy as your saddest child."

Native Health Careers Conference

NativeAmerican Research Center for Health (NARCH) and United Tribes Technical College
Bismarck, ND

The purpose of this conference was to raise awareness of health career opportunities for American Indians.  I provided a keynote presentation on AI Heatlh Careers, and I was able to moderate two panels:  Current AI health professions students (medicine, pharmacy, public health, epidemiology, occupational therapy) and a Current AI Health Professionals Panel (Medicine, Nursing, Research, Epidemiology).  Approximately 80 people attended the conference, and several students are now even more interested in pursuing health careers!

Public Health Unit development at the Ft. Berthold Reservation

Local public health agencies in the State of ND are divided into 28 separate Local Public Health Units (PHUs).  The boundaries of the Ft. Berthold Reservation, home of the Mandan, Hidatsa, and Arikara Nation, overlap with four separate PHUs!  The purpose of this meeting was to strategize regarding the proposed feasibility study of creating a separate PHU within the Ft. Berthold Reservation.  The advantages to doing this would be to clarify jurisdictional responsibilities for various public health functions (food sale licensure, food safety inspections, outreach for immunizations, etc).  The proposal has passed the legislative committee on health, and it is being forwarded to the ND legislature for final approval.

Presentation: Traditional Approaches to Reducing Modern Health Disparities

Presentation:  "Traditional Approaches to Reducing Modern Health Disparities"

Association of American Indian Physicians

Oklahoma City, OK

Unfortunately, American Indians suffer from among the worst health dispartiites in the nation.  For many tribes, traditional lifestyles and traditional approaches to health promotion could be used today to improve health status.  For example, working toward balance among spiritual, mental, physical, and emotional forces is the traditional Lakota approach to health.  Unfortunately, in modern times, much of healthcare is focused primarily on physical health and the role of a holistic approach is not used.  When we think about chronic health conditions like diabetes and high blood pressure, controlling stress and living in balance are great methods to assist in controlling blood pressure and blood sugar.  In addition, a holistic approach can help to prevent disease and to reduce behavioral health concerns like depression and anxiety.  Blending the best of modern science and the best of tradional, holistic approaches might be the right approach for many American Indians as well as other populations.  The purpose of this conference was to understand the best ways to blend traditional culture and modern medicine to improve health outcomes.