298794
Tobacco Has Never Been Our Way of Life: A Story of One Student's Experience in the North Slope Borough
American Indians and Alaska Natives have the highest rates of cigarette smoking in the United States (CDC, 2011). In the North Slope Borough, the rates are double those for the rest of the state, and 3 times as high for Inupiaq households. Tobacco is related to nearly half of all health issues in the North Slope.
The Inupiaq people value many things, including cooperation. This presentation will describe the journey of one nursing student in the North Slope Borough during the month of January to fight tobacco use in her community using cooperation. The presentation will detail the lessons learned and challenges encountered along her journey to develop a Smokefree Community, including: implementing a decision passed by a tribal college cabinet to move a smoke shack and how a local task force on tobacco cessation was re-energized during the month to continue to push for a Smokefree Community.
Drastic health complications in the North Slope Borough have resulted from tobacco use and now is the time to take control. This project describes steps to eliminate the use of tobacco so that the Inupiaq people are able to lead healthy lives and restore their culture and traditions.
Learning Areas:
Administer health education strategies, interventions and programsChronic disease management and prevention
Diversity and culture
Implementation of health education strategies, interventions and programs
Planning of health education strategies, interventions, and programs
Public health or related education
Learning Objectives:
Describe a culturally-sensitive way to approach a health care issue in an Alaskan Native population as a result of changes introduced to their communities
Keyword(s): Native Americans, Tobacco Use
Qualified on the content I am responsible for because: I am nursing student in a baccalaureate nursing program who completed a January Interim independent research project on tobacco use and cessation in the North Slope Borough. I am Alaskan Native from Barrow, Alaska. I have recently completed a summer internship in my home community with the North Slope Borough Health Department and learned of current health issues in my home community. Learning of these alarming issues was the impetus for this current project.
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.