American Indians and Alaska Natives (AI/AN) have increasing rates of chronic diseases and other health problems that have known preventable risk factors. Yet AI/AN health professionals and researchers are few in number. Because of past negative experiences with outside researchers, AI/AN communities do not always view health research favorably. This article reviews health and related research issues as well as to recommend improving interaction among community and all researchers.
Alaska Native Tribal Health Consortium. (2003). Alaska Natives and cancer. Anchorage: Author.
2.
Becker, T., Dunn, E., Tom-Orme, L., & Joe, J. (2005). Cancer control research training for native researchers: A model for development of additional native researcher training programs. American Indian Culture and Researcher Journal, 29(2), 75-83.
3.
Crowley, S., Fuller, D., Law, W., McKeon, D., Ramirez, J. J., Trujillo, K. A. et al. (2004). Improving the climate in research and scientific environments for members of underrepresented minorities. The Neuroscientist, 10(1), 26-30.
4.
Davis, S. M., & Reid, R. (1999). Practicing participatory research in American Indian communities. American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, 69(Suppl.), 755S-759S.
5.
Denny, C., Holtzman, D., & Cobb, N. (2003, August 1). Surveillance for health behaviors of American Indians and Alaska Natives: Findings from the Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System, 1997-2000. Morbidity & Mortality Weekly Report, 52(No. SS-7).
6.
Eschiti, V. S. (2004). Holistic approach to resolving American Indian/Alaska Native health care disparities. Journal of Holistic Nursing, 22(3), 201-208.
7.
Hernandez, J. A. A. (2004, Winter). Blood, lies, and Indian rights: TCUs becoming gatekeepers for research. The Tribal College Journal, 16(2).
8.
Holtby, S., Zahnd, E., Yen, W., Lordi, N., McCain, C., & DiSogra, C. (2004). Health of California's adults, adolescents, and children: Findings from CHIS 2001. Los Angeles: UCLA Center for Health Policy Research.
9.
Indian Health Service (IHS). (1999). Trends in Indian health, 1998-99. Rockville, MD: Author.
10.
Spratley, E., Johnson, A., Sochalski, J., Fritz, M., & Spencer, W. (2000). The registered nurse population: March 2000 findings from the national sample survey of registered nurses. Washington, DC: U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Bureau of Health Professions.
11.
Steefel, L. (2005). NCEMNA fosters next generation of RN researchers. Nursing Spectrum, 14(12), 14-14.
12.
U.S. Census Bureau. (2005). Statistical abstract of the United States: 2004-2005. Washington, DC: U.S. Department of Commerce.
