Guidelines for successful partnerships with Native American communities

Native Americans in the United States (US) experience vast health disparities compared to the majority population in the US. Higher rates of certain diseases, suicide and accidental death rates, and cancer mortality rates are just a few of the challenges facing Native American communities today. For researchers and public health professionals working with Native populations, one current challenge is how to best partner with communities in reducing and eliminating these disparities. In recent years, community-based participatory research (CBPR) has emerged as an important model to help combat health disparities among various racial, ethnic and socioeconomic groups. However, CPBR guidelines up to now have not addressed specific cultural groups and their individual needs and barriers. This talk will review the current principles and guidelines for CPBR and existing best practice guidelines for working with Native American communities. Similarities and differences between the two guidelines will be discussed. In addition, we will address reasons why these differences in the approach to participatory research with Native Americans are necessary. Examples from a current CBPR cervical cancer program will be used to illustrate components of a successful partnership between university and Native American community partners.