Healthy, Active Native Communities Initiative: Policy, systems, and environmental strategies for obesity prevention in American Indian communities

Purpose The purpose of this initiative is to augment, implement, and disseminate community-wide obesity prevention policies, systems, and environmental changes in American Indian (AI) communities. The Association of American Indian Physicians (AAIP) provides resources, technical assistance, and guidance to tribes, government, technical experts, and affiliates nationwide.

Methods AAIP will convene the AAIP Expert Panel Committee (AEPC) for project oversight, conduct site visits, host trainings, deliver webinars, develop social marketing campaigns, hold strategic planning sessions, link to federal programs/resources, collaborate on policy briefs, evaluate, and other needs as determined by communities. AAIP will utilize listservs, newsletters, AAIP website, mini-grants, member physicians, conference presentations, cultural event information booths, and the media to disseminate this effort nationwide.

Results In the first 6 months, the two matched AI communities, the Pueblo of Jemez (NM) and Cherokee Nation (OK): developed sustainable, environment and policy approaches; launched community gardens; sold harvested produce at the tribal farmers' markets; and had preliminary discussions with tribal leaders and school boards to increase access to nutritious foods and physical activity. AAIP disseminated newsletters, posted information on the AAIP website, convened the AEPC committee, conducted site visits, and offered 10 $2,500 mini-grants to Native communities.

Conclusions Our preliminary work suggests that technical assistance on AI issues is essential. Many AI communities do not think they have the ability to implement policy change, but AAIP's technical assistance has had a demonstrable impact on their perceived efficacy for policy change. AAIP has been successful in improving the cultural sensitivity of national messaging.