University of Alaska Fairbanks
Due to the extreme remoteness, transportation challenges, and lack of access to clinical care, the delivery of preventative health interventions in rural Alaska Native communities is a top tribal priority. Chronic disease and behavioral health contribute to the higher rates of mortality and morbidity experienced in rural Alaska. This study will test the effectiveness of a culturally-grounded, community-delivered preventive intervention, Qungasvik-Healthy Hearts, to reduce risk factors associated with chronic disease and behavioral health in three rural Alaska Native communities. Implementation science outcomes will identify key contextual factors, social determinants and costs associated with health outcomes related to positive change in behavior, blood pressure, diet and physical activity, assessed among 300 participants from the three rural communities.
Chronic disease is a primary contributor to mortality in the US, and while rates are rising in all populations, AIAN people remain disproportionately burdened. The remoteness and lack of acute care in rural Alaska Native (AN) communities, means that cardiovascular and cerebrovascular events are more likely to be catastrophic and have lower survivorship and recovery outcomes. Due to the remoteness, transportation challenges, and lack of access to medicine and healthcare, preventative health for chronic disease in rural AN communities is of utmost concern. During Phase I of the American Indian,…
Inclusion Criteria: * self-identify as a permanent resident of the study community * be a youth between the ages of 12-17 years, a young adult between the ages of 18-24, or an adult or elder the ages of 45+ * be able to provide written informed consent. Exclusion Criteria: * does not have permanent residence in the community * is unable to provide written informed consent. All participant-facing study materials will be provided at an eighth-grade reading level.
Qungasvik-Healthy Hearts preventive intervention is a novel adaptation of an evidence-based practice that was developed by Yup'ik AN communities to address mental health and alcohol misuse. Qungasvik-Healthy Hearts explores the broader association between revitalizing physically laborious, socially connecting, and nutritionally rich traditional Yup'ik practices like hunting, gathering, and fishing, with cerebrovascular and cardiovascular disease risk reduction. A local Community Planning Group (CPG) facilitates activities tailored to directly address upstream cerebrovascular and cardiovascular disease risk factors, by supporting youth and older adults to increase intensity and duration of physical activity, facilitate social support and connection, and increase intake of traditional Yup'ik foods. These activities included modules such as Yuraq (traditional Yup'ik dance), moose hunting, ice fishing, and gathering (greens, eggs, etc.) on the land.
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