Alaska Resources

Improving HPV Vaccination Coverage in The Last Frontier Takes a Community-Centered Approach
Discusses the Alaska Cancer Partnership's efforts to support human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination through community partnerships and the Alaska HPV Vaccination Month campaign. Details initiatives focused on rural, tribal, and youth vaccination access and awareness.
Author(s): Jessica Quinn
Date: 09/2024
Sponsoring organization: St. Jude Children's Research Hospital
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Newly Reported Chronic Hepatitis C Among Adults — Alaska, 2016-2023
Reports on newly reported confirmed chronic hepatitis C diagnoses data among Alaskan adults between 2016 and 2023. Notes diagnosis rate disparities for American Indian and Alaska Natives and rural residents, among others. Discusses the potential impact of increased screening on the data. Offers recommendations related to screening, treatment, reporting, and more.
Author(s): Heather M. Scobie, Ian Blake, Eyasu Teshale, et al.
Date: 07/2024
Sponsoring organization: Alaska Division of Public Health
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Impact of In-Home Handwashing Stations on Hand Hygiene During the COVID-19 Pandemic in Unpiped Rural Alaska Native Homes
Examines the impact of installing the Miniature Portable Alternative Sanitation System (Mini-PASS) in rural Alaskan homes that lacked piped water. Utilizes interview feedback from 71 households who used the Mini-PASS during the COVID-19 pandemic, discussing themes such as handwashing station usage, the ability to troubleshoot repairs, collaboration with tribal health organizations, and more.
Author(s): Olivia A. Harmon, Tricia S. Howe, Jacqualine D. Schaeffer, Ramot Adeboyejo, Laura P. Eichelberger
Citation: Public Health Reports, 139(1), 81S-88S
Date: 07/2024
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Loneliness and Social Isolation Are Common in Rural America. Is "Social Infrastructure" the Solution?
Discusses structural factors that contribute to social isolation in rural areas. Features programs in Minnesota, Nebraska, and Alaska that are finding ways to build connection into rural communities.
Citation: Rural Monitor
Date: 06/2024
Sponsoring organization: Rural Health Information Hub
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Health Wanted: Finding Care in Rural America
Series of videos highlighting challenges with access to quality healthcare for rural Americans. Discusses healthcare access in remote locations, food insecurity and farming practices, transportation, wellness initiatives, and chronic health conditions in 5 states. Transcript available in video description.
Date: 05/2024
Sponsoring organization: American Heart Association
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Current and Projected Flood Exposure for Alaska Coastal Communities
Analyzes historical flood data to estimate current flood exposure for 63 Alaskan communities. Discusses disparate risk for Alaska Native villages and specific challenges for rural and remote communities.
Author(s): Richard M. Buzard, Christopher V. Maio, Li H. Erikson, et al.
Citation: Scientific Reports, 14, 7765
Date: 04/2024
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Clinical Outcomes from the Alaska Native Tribal Health Consortium Colorectal Cancer Control Program: 2009–2015
Evaluates Colorectal Cancer Control Program (CRCCP) implementation by the Alaska Native Tribal Health Consortium (ANTHC) from 2009 to 2015. Presents data on CRCCP demographics, quality measures, clinical outcomes, and screening methods. Discusses the significance of colonoscopy provision for Native Alaskan tribal populations with high colorectal cancer incidence.
Author(s): Sarah H. Nash, Elizabeth Verhage, Christie Flanagan, et al.
Citation: International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 21(5), 552
Date: 04/2024
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Loud and Clear: Improving Access to Hearing Care in Rural America
Discusses barriers to rural hearing care access and the importance of hearing conservation. Features a hearing clinic in South Dakota, a telehealth program in Alaska, and a nationally available agriculture safety program working to address rural hearing care.
Author(s): Allee Mead
Citation: Rural Monitor
Date: 03/2024
Sponsoring organization: Rural Health Information Hub
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Provider- and System-Level Barriers and Facilitators to Colonoscopy and Multi-Target Stool DNA for Colorectal Cancer Screening in Rural/Remote Alaska Native Communities
Highlights a study of the barriers and facilitators to colorectal cancer screening for tribal communities in rural and remote regions of Alaska. Bases findings on interviews with providers and an analysis of system-level factors, such as travel time and costs, weather, and COVID-19, among others.
Author(s): Diana Redwood, Melissa Toffolon, Christie Flanagan, et al.
Citation: International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 20(22), 7030
Date: 11/2023
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Developing a Culturally Relevant Physical Activity Guide for Alaska Native Head Start Students in Rural Alaska: The Got Neqpiaq? Study
Highlights a survey of Alaska Native Elders, teachers, and parents on cultural modifications to the Head Start preschool programs' physical playtime activities in tribal communities. Features a partnership between the Alaska Native Tribal Health Consortium, Head Start, and the Rural Alaska Community Action Program. Details lessons learned from survey results on developing culturally competent physical education programming for Alaska Native preschoolers.
Author(s): Teresa Hicks, Barb Stillwater, Kathryn Koller, et al.
Citation: International Journal of Circumpolar Health, 82(1), 2287791
Date: 11/2023
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