Rural Health
News by Topic: Culture and cultural competency
Dec 7, 2023 - Highlights the food sovereignty movement, an effort to return traditional Indigenous gardening and food supply practices to Native communities. Discusses food deserts on reservations and higher rates of health conditions such as heart disease, cancer, and diabetes for American Indian and Alaska Native populations.
Source: KFF Health News, NPR
Dec 7, 2023 - A new grant will establish a data repository that is Indigenous-led, allowing tribal nations to have control of their own health and genomic data. The grant will also develop ethical data sharing, analysis, and usage standards that align with cultural norms.
Source: KJZZ
Nov 29, 2023 - Profile of a Native American doctor's career in medicine. Discusses recruitment and retention of Native physicians and the impact that historical trauma has had on her decision to become a physician.
Source: Northwest Public Broadcasting
Nov 16, 2023 - Highlights the harm reduction strategy one Wisconsin tribe has implemented to reduce mortality from the opioid crisis. Discusses stigma, the high rates of overdose deaths for native people in Wisconsin, and the potential for harm reduction to lead to effective treatment. Describes their successes as a model for other Indigenous communities as well as harm reduction in general.
Source: STAT News
Nov 14, 2023 - Summarizes discussions at a Senate Committee on Indian Affairs field hearing in Alaska on the impacts of the salmon crisis. In addition to economic issues, the crisis contributes to poorer mental and physical health. Discusses cultural food practices and the connection between harvesting and health.
Source: Alaska Public Media
Nov 8, 2023 - Announcement of the opening of a new health station for the Havasupai Tribe inside the Grand Canyon. The new facility includes specialty care, public health programming, staff living quarters, and more.
Nov 6, 2023 - Announces funding for youth in 6 tribal communities in Washington for education, access to mental healthcare, substance abuse prevention and assistance programs, and more.
Source: U.S. Department of Justice
Oct 31, 2023 - Describes a program designed to support Nevada Native students in pursuing careers in biomedical and health sciences. Notes that tribal communities experience health disparities and health fields need more tribal members with knowledge of tribal culture. The program currently begins at the university level and can extend through a student's professional career. Plans are being made to offer the program at the community college level.
Source: Nevada Today
Oct 26, 2023 - An Oklahoma State University physician training program is set to graduate its first class. It is the only program in the nation on a reservation, and it aims to increase the number of physicians from Native American and rural communities. The curriculum includes culturally relevant content. Discusses access to care issues for Cherokee residents.
Source: CBS News, KFF Health News
Oct 26, 2023 - Interview of a dermatology resident who is also a member of Navajo Nation. Describes healthcare needs on the reservation including discussion of water and other infrastructure, stigma, access to specialty care, nutrition, the impact of COVID-19, and the need for more Native American physicians.
Source: American Medical Association