The 131st Annual Meeting (November 15-19, 2003) of APHA

Abstract #57908

Nina B. Wallerstein, DrPH¹, Bonnie Duran, DrPH², Lorenda Belone Joe, Jolene Aguilar⁴, Anita F. Toya⁵, Randolph Padilla, Kevin Shendo⁷, and Harriet Yepa⁸. (1) Masters in Public Health Program, University of New Mexico, 2400 Tucker NE, School of Medicine, Albuquerque, NM 87104, 505-272-4173, nwall@unm.edu, (2) Department of Family and Community Medicine, University of New Mexico School of Medicine, 2400 Tucker NE, #147, Albuquerque, NM 87131, (3) Masters in Public Health Program, University of New Mexico School of Medicine, 2400 Tucker NE, Albuquerque, NM 87131, (4) Jemez Health Department, Jemez Pueblo, P.O. Box 100, Jemez Pueblo, NM 87024, (5) Education Department, Jemez Pueblo, P.O. Box 60, 5117 Hwy 4, Jemez Pueblo, NM 87024, (6) Health Center, Jemez Pueblo, P.O. Box 279, Jemez Pueblo, NM 87024

In a CDC-sponsored participatory research study, the University of New Mexico in collaboration with two tribes, co-investigated the meanings of community capacity and social capital for tribal members and the potential implications for improving health status. An initial model of capacities within the social, economic/ environmental, and cultural arenas was hypothesized to explain the paradox between high levels of disease and mortality with apparent high levels of social cohesion in tribes. Participatory assessment of capacities using interviews and focus groups of close to 60 key informants from each tribe strengthened the understanding of known dimensions of community capacity, as well as added others, such as cultural identity, language, and tradition. Multiple paradoxes emerged from the data, such as community participation versus connection to outside society, traditional leadership versus access to modern resources, economic development versus cultural preservation. Implications for participatory research with tribes, new understandings of community capacity, and relationship to health status will be explored.

Learning Objectives:

• 1.Describe the participatory methods used to understand dimensions of community capacity, cultural identity, language and tradition among tribal members
• 2.Understand the processes required to form a meaningful research collaborative between the university and two tribes
• 3.Describe the relationship between new understandings of community capacity and health status

Keywords: Native Americans, Community Capacity

Presenting author's disclosure statement:
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.