Despite glaring health disparities among American Indians and Alaska Natives (AIAN) compared to non-indigenous populations across the United States, there is a paucity of research addressing their HIV/AIDS prevention and the mental health concerns. A strong network of highly trained and productive Native scholars dedicated to research that is culturally grounded would contribute to ameliorating health disparities among AIAN. Although NIH has issued calls to increase the representation of AIAN and other underrepresented racial and ethnic minorities (UREM) as principal investigators for mental health, substance use, alcohol use, and HIV prevention research studies, few have attained PI status or received federal funding. This application, in response to PAR-06-494 """"""""NIMH Research Education Grants (R25),"""""""" is designed to develop the Indigenous HIV/AIDS Research Training (IHART) program to train a cadre of NIMH-funded junior and mid-career research scientists in the area of HIV/AIDS and mental health prevention. AIAN trainees will be prioritized but UREM, individuals with disadvantaged backgrounds, and non-Native scientists who are currently conducting research in Native communities are eligible to participate as well. The IHART program will be housed at the university-wide interdisciplinary Indigenous Wellness Research Institute (IWRI). IWRI and its associated research scientists, staff, and their affiliates will provide a supportive and fertile environment for the program. IWRI is directed and staffed almost entirely by AIAN, with two of the leading federally funded AIAN HIV researchers at the helm. The IHART program specific aims are to 1) Facilitate the development of a cadre of junior and mid-career scientists capable of serving as PIs on extramurally funded HIV/AIDS -mental health prevention studies with indigenous populations through an intensive 24-month mentorship program comprising a 2-day winter roundtable;a 2-week summer training institute;year-round multidisciplinary learning opportunities via seminar series, virtual workshops, and presentations;seed funding ($22,000) for development (i.e., pilot projects, conferences);as well as statistical, administrative, editorial, and technical assistance for developing grant applications, conducting primary or secondary data analyses, and writing manuscripts for publication;2) Establish a network of mentors with expertise in HIV research, mental health, trauma, substance abuse and CBPR;3) Launch a website and listserv to facilitate the sharing of relevant research, information, and opportunities;and 4) Conduct a process evaluation of the program to identify factors key to its success. Public Health Relevance: NIH has issued calls to increase the representation of American Indians and Alaska Natives (AIAN) and other underrepresented racial and ethnic minorities (UREM) as principal investigators for mental health, substance use, alcohol use, and HIV prevention research studies. However, few AIAN or UREM researchers have attained PI status or received federal funding. The proposed research will contribute to the public health by developing a cadre of NIMH-funded junior and mid-career AIAN research scientists in the area of HIV/AIDS prevention and mental health. These researchers will be highly trained and productive scholars dedicated to building research that is culturally grounded and capable of ameliorating health disparities in Indian Country.

Public Health Relevance

NIH has issued calls to increase the representation of American Indians and Alaska Natives (AIAN) and other underrepresented racial and ethnic minorities (UREM) as principal investigators for mental health, substance use, alcohol use, and HIV prevention research studies. However, few AIAN or UREM researchers have attained PI status or received federal funding. The proposed research will contribute to the public health by developing a cadre of NIMH-funded junior and mid-career AIAN research scientists in the area of HIV/AIDS prevention and mental health. These researchers will be highly trained and productive scholars dedicated to building research that is culturally grounded and capable of ameliorating health disparities in Indian Country.

Agency
National Institute of Health (NIH)
Institute
National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH)
Type
Education Projects (R25)
Project #
1R25MH084565-01A1
Application #
7754964
Study Section
Special Emphasis Panel (ZMH1-ERB-Z (02))
Program Officer
Stoff, David M
Project Start
2009-07-01
Project End
2014-06-30
Budget Start
2009-07-01
Budget End
2010-06-30
Support Year
1
Fiscal Year
2009
Total Cost
$269,056
Indirect Cost
Name
University of Washington
Department
Type
Schools of Social Work
DUNS #
605799469
City
Seattle
State
WA
Country
United States
Zip Code
98195
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Wille, Stephanie M; Kemp, Katherine A; Greenfield, Brenna L et al. (2017) Barriers to Healthcare for American Indians Experiencing Homelessness. J Soc Distress Homeless 26:1-8
Schultz, Katie; Walters, Karina L; Beltran, Ramona et al. (2016) ""I'm stronger than I thought"": Native women reconnecting to body, health, and place. Health Place 40:21-8
Walls, Melissa; Pearson, Cynthia; Kading, Margarette et al. (2016) Psychological Wellbeing in the Face of Adversity among American Indians: Preliminary Evidence of a New Population Health Paradox? Ann Public Health Res 3:
Smartlowit-Briggs, Lucy; Pearson, Cynthia; Whitefoot, Patricia et al. (2016) Community-Based Assessment to Inform a Chlamydia Screening Program for Women in a Rural American Indian Community. Sex Transm Dis 43:390-5
Walls, Melissa L; Whitbeck, Les; Armenta, Brian (2016) A Cautionary Tale: Examining the Interplay of Culturally Specific Risk and Resilience Factors in Indigenous Communities. Clin Psychol Sci 4:732-743
Walters, Karina L; Simoni, Jane M; Evans-Campbell, Teresa Tessa et al. (2016) Mentoring the Mentors of Underrepresented Racial/Ethnic Minorities Who are Conducting HIV Research: Beyond Cultural Competency. AIDS Behav 20 Suppl 2:288-93
Pearson, Cynthia R; Kaysen, Debra; Belcourt, Annie et al. (2015) Post-traumatic stress disorder and HIV risk behaviors among rural American Indian/Alaska Native women. Am Indian Alsk Native Ment Health Res 22:1-20
Dickerson, Daniel L; Venner, Kamilla L; Duran, Bonnie et al. (2014) Drum-Assisted Recovery Therapy for Native Americans (DARTNA): results from a pretest and focus groups. Am Indian Alsk Native Ment Health Res 21:35-58
Johnson-Jennings, Michelle D; Belcourt, Annie; Town, Matthew et al. (2014) Racial discrimination's influence on smoking rates among American Indian Alaska Native two-spirit individuals: does pain play a role? J Health Care Poor Underserved 25:1667-78

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