Back to Annual Meeting Page		American Public Health Association 133rd Annual Meeting & Exposition December 10-14, 2005 Philadelphia, PA

Abstract #113483

Robert H. Feldman, PhD¹, Theda McPheron Keel, RN, CRRN, MA, MS², Merrill Eisenberg, PhD³, Joe Jose, MSW⁴, Kim Russell, BS⁴, Kathryn Coe, PhD³, and Rebecca Akins, MA⁵. (1) Department of Public and Community Health, University of Maryland, Valley Drive, College Park, MD 20742, 301.405.2519, rfeldman@umd.edu, (2) Wind Hollow Foundation, 6739D South Clifton Road, Frederick, MD 21703, (3) Arizona Cancer Center, University of Arizona, 2302 E. Speedway, Suite 204, Tucson, AZ 85712, (4) Tobacco Control, Native American Community Health Center, Inc, 3008 North Third St., Phoenix, AZ 85012, (5) Native Images, Inc., 4586 N. Sugarbush Place, Tucson, AZ 85749

The lack of culturally accurate and population specific research tools has limited data and interventions among urban American Indians. Additionally the unique application of tobacco as both sacred/ceremonial element and daily commercial use among American Indians has not been included. Methodologies to overcome these limitations by collecting accurate data are essential in reducing health disparities. The Phoenix Native Vision Tobacco Coalition is composed of over 40 member organizations who serve urban American Indians. Under two successive grants from the National Cancer Institute, American Indian researchers at both the Universities of Maryland and Arizona have joined with Native Vision to begin building statistically accurate data bases by developing survey tools and methodology appropriate for urban American Indians. The goal is to determine if knowledge and practice of ceremonial tobacco can be used to prevent, reduce, or stop commercial tobacco abuse among urban American Indians.

A blended methods model using both qualitative methods (focus groups and key informant interviews) to better understand the concepts of dual tobacco use and quantitative methods (questionnaire development, item testing, and analysis) is being used. The multi-disciplinary team consisting of anthropologists, social psychologists, health educators, American Indian studies and social workers work with the community itself and Native Vision. Networks extend to other academic institutions, non-profits and state/federal funders. Jointly over a four year period, an urban data base and a beginning survey research tool necessary for accessing urban communities has emerged. These steps are essential in building a community-partnered research agenda.

Learning Objectives: At the end of the presentation, attendees will

(
• understand the unique multi-tribal needs of urban American Indians, (
• recognize importance of community-academic partnerships in developing population specific research tools, and (3)understand the need for blended (qualitative and quantitative) methods and the use of multi-disciplinary teams for building community-partnered research.

Keywords: American Indians, Tobacco

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

I wish to disclose that I have NO financial interests or other relationship with the manufactures of commercial products, suppliers of commercial services or commercial supporters.

Recorded presentation