Project Listing

Changing Environment & Human Health - inactive

Title: Revised version of # 209 Change in Diet and Lifestyle and Rise in Chronic Diseases of Alaska Native People- the EARTH Study- Education and Research Towards Health

Summary of Activity

The “Change in Diet and Lifestyle and the Rise of Chronic Diseases of Alaska Native People- the EARTH Study- Education and Research Toward Health” is an IPY 2007-2008 project that aims to look at issues of chronic disease of concern to Alaska Natives.

Disparities exist for most chronic diseases among Alaska Native (AN) people. Major causes of mortality and morbity have changed as has the diet and lifestyle. The majority of Alaska Natives live in remote, geographically isolated villages accessible only by plane or boat. AN people include Inuit, Athabascan and Tlingit Indian, and Aleut. They share clultural and linguistic similarities with indigenous people of the circumpolar regions as well as those residing in the contiguous United States.

The goal of this project is to identify aspects of traditional and subistence lifestyle and diet that contibute to health. This project is designed to be a long term prospective study. Adult volunteers consent to participate. During the pilot phase, its target recruitment is at least 5,000 Alaska Natives residing in Alaska in small rural communities as well as urban cities. The enrollment process consists of an interview during which participants complete questionnaires on diet and lifestyle, have anthropometric measurements recorded, and undergo a fasting lipid profile and blood sugar evaluation. The study emphasizes diet and physical activity, but also includes other relevant questions known to have an effect on chronic disease including tobacco use, living conditions, and social and cultural factors. Participants also answer questions about their personal and family medical history, and consent to review of their computerized medical record and medical charts. Surveys are culturally sensitive. All ANs are eligible for medical services at no cost provided by a statewide Alaska Tribal Health System. Collaborators in the South Dakota and Utah are conducting similar projects in the Dakotas, Arizona and the Navajo Nation. Data collection started in 2003. The vision is to recruit nearly 100,000 AI/AN participants in the US. Data from this study could be compared to those being conducted among circumpolar indigenous populations.

This project will contribute to the Arctic Human Health Initiative (EoI 914) in their development of new, and expansion of existing, human health surveillance and research networks. This project contributes to the montoring of diseases of concern to Arctic communities as well the development of standardized protocols, data collection, laboratory methods, and analysis. This information will contribute to the surveillance of disease prevelance over time, the determination of risk factors for disease evaluation of intervention and control strategies. Networks also provide opportunities for the development of sustainable partnerships between communities and researchers. This project will contribute to the ability of the AHHI to address the human health impact of chronic diseases such as cancer, cardiovascular disease, obesity and diabetes. This project will help to characterize healthful and risky behaviors, the health status of populations, and the development of culturally sensitive interventions.

Contacts:

Lead Contact
Dr Anne Lanier
Alaska Native Tribal Health Consortium
4000 Ambassador Dr, D-CHS Anchorage AK
99508
USA
Tel:          907.729.3663
Mobile: N/A
Fax:         907.729.2924
Email:       aplanier@anthc.org

Second Contact
Ms Jennifer Johnson
Alaska Native Tribal Health Consortium
4000 Ambassador Dr, D-CHS Anchorage AK
99508
USA
Tel:          907.729.3650
Mobile: N/A
Fax:         907.729.2324
Email:      jsjohnson@anmc.org