203736 Native American Pedagogy and Health

Monday, November 9, 2009: 5:35 PM

Brenda Seals, PhD, MPH , Native American Cancer Research Corporation, Lakewood, CO
Native Americans are challenging to reach with health education messages. Many elders and youth grow up with English as a second language. Few public health professionals understand either the diversity of the over 500 federally recognized tribes or the unique history and culture that are essential for effective messaging. Native Americans experience more poverty and substandard quality of life compared to other minority groups. Providing health care and outreach to Native Americans is also complicated by unique access to health care service issues and desires to blend traditional practices with Western Medicine. Despite these barriers, much can be done to improve messaging and education for Native Americans including: a) Building messages around family issues; b) Localizing messages focusing on community members' experiences, art work and traditional stories; c) Providing story scenarios as the basis for health messaging; and d) Supporting community mobilization to help tribes and urban partners fully participate in and have ownership over health messaging.

Learning Objectives:
Demonstrate understanding of cultural aspects of Native American health education. Discuss three strategies to improve education for Native Americans. Describe new learning techniques to local programs.

Keywords: American Indians, Curricula

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

Qualified on the content I am responsible for because: As the Executive Director for a small Community Based Organization, I have a lot of experience providing training and workshops to Native Americans. I have over 28 years experience in public health primarily in mental health, HIV/AIDS, trauma and cancer.
Any relevant financial relationships? No

I agree to comply with the American Public Health Association Conflict of Interest and Commercial Support Guidelines, and to disclose to the participants any off-label or experimental uses of a commercial product or service discussed in my presentation.

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