Online Program

288510
American Indian and Alaska Native men's health: Needs for interventions and services


Tuesday, November 5, 2013 : 2:45 p.m. - 3:00 p.m.

Brenda Seals, PhD, MPH, Rides Over Mountains Consulting, Hightstown, NJ
Spero Manson, PhD, Centers for American Indian and Alaska Native Health, University of Colorado, Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO
Olivia Casey, Gana-A 'Yoo Services Corporation, Anchorage, AK
Eric Bothwell, DDS, MPH, MA, PhD, Gana-A 'Yoo Services Corporation, Anchorage, AK
Background: Only recently has male health been of interest to policy makers despite their historic lower life expectancy. Male disparities in mental health, substance abuse and cardiovascular health depict long-term risks such as being a veteran, violence, lifestyle and occupational exposures. Native American males have some of the highest risks yet few interventions exist to address their health concerns.

Method: Over a six month period, an extensive literature review was conducted to identify the extent of interventions with a sufficient evidence base for American Indian and Alaska Native (AIAN) men's health.

Results: Few intervention trials with sufficient numbers of AIAN existed for major health risk factors including physical activity, diet, obesity, and diabetes. Some alcohol, substance abuse and tobacco prevention and treatment, mental health and suicide prevention programs were available for a small number of specific tribes. Many studies reported that their programs were culturally appropriate for AIAN male populations yet most of these had zero or small numbers of AIAN males.

Conclusions: Policy makers must prioritize AIAN men's health to significantly diminish health disparities. Federal agencies and associations publishing best practices need to scrutinize studies to ensure that claims of cultural appropriateness are justified given the inclusion of sufficient AIAN numbers. Huge gaps exist in the evidence base for interventions for AIAN males. Cultural appropriateness needs to be critically examined because AIAN populations are extremely diverse in both language and practices. Studies addressing AIAN male gaps require a wider range of included tribal representatives.

Learning Areas:

Assessment of individual and community needs for health education
Diversity and culture
Implementation of health education strategies, interventions and programs
Planning of health education strategies, interventions, and programs
Public health or related public policy
Social and behavioral sciences

Learning Objectives:
List at least three gaps in AIAN men’s services Describe at least three barriers to filling identified gaps. Explain how “wrap around” services such as mental health and lifestyle risk prevention programs could be expanded for AIAN. Discuss the importance of addressing men’s health ad a measure to reduce AIAN health disparities.

Keyword(s): American Indians, Health Disparities

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

Qualified on the content I am responsible for because: As a public health professional for over 30 years, I have over 120 professional presentations and 80 peer reviewed articles. I evaluate national programs and communications.
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.