Every Tuesday in June, the All of Us Research Program will host listening sessions with Tribal communities in a series designed to deepen the dialogue on the respectful inclusion of American Indians and Alaska Natives in research. Topics include a program overview and data considerations. Registration is open.
Nationally, American Indians and Alaska Natives have the second-highest economic burden per person ($12,351) from health disparities in the United States, with most of this burden (74%) being attributable to premature deaths.
Dr. Karina Walters, an enrolled member of the Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma, joined the NIH Tribal Health Research Office as director on April 24, 2023. Learn about Dr. Walters in this issue of the NIH Record newsletter.
Session II of the NIEHS Superfund Research Program (SRP) Progress in Research webinar series will feature SRP-funded projects from the University of New Mexico SRP Center (collaborating with Indigenous partners from Navajo Nation and Laguna Pueblo), and Columbia University Northern Plains SRP Center (collaborating with Tribal communities from North and South Dakota) that focus on the health risks associated with exposure to hazardous metals. Learn more and register for the live webinar on Friday, May 5, 2023, from 12 to 2:00 p.m. E.D.T.
The Honoring Health newsletter provides THRO-curated Tribal health research news and information from across NIH. Check out the Spring 2023 issue to learn about THRO’s new director, Long COVID resources, funding and training opportunities, research highlights, and more.
The NIH RADx®-Underserved Populations (RADx®-UP) initiative will hold its annual Scientific Meeting virtually on May 3, 2023, from 1 to 5 p.m. E.T. Scheduled presentations include an update about the Cherokee Nation Community-Driven Program for Testing and Contact Tracing (Cherokee PROTECT) survey, and COVID-19 monitoring methods, building capacity, and Indigenous data sovereignty with a Northern Plains Tribe.
NIH is funding studies on the use of wastewater testing to monitor SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19, including in Tribal communities. Dr. Otakuye Conroy-Ben (Oglala Lakota) and her colleagues hope that the groundwork she has done will offer a template that any Tribe with wastewater treatment can use to monitor COVID-19 on their own.
NIH announces the selection of Karina L. Walters, Ph.D., M.S.W., an enrolled member of the Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma, as director of THRO.
The NIH National Institute on Minority Health and Health Disparities (NIMHD) encourages SBIR/STTR Program applications from entrepreneurs of all backgrounds, including American Indian and Alaska Native business owners.
NIH hosts its annual TAC meeting, including virtual presentations from leaders across NIH and others involved in Tribal health research.