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Biomedical subjects

Linda Burhansstipanov

Publications and source records attributed to Linda Burhansstipanov.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2006

The "Spirit of Eagles" legacy.

American Indians and Alaska Natives (AI/ANs) suffer from inordinate morbidity and mortality from various cancers. The Spirit of Eagles is a national Special Populations Network that has developed the community infrastructure to support culturally appropriate, long-range, comprehensive cancer control activities. Subcontracts were developed that involved major cancer centers, nonprofit organizations, policy boards, professional societies, and educators. Community-based cancer control grants were distributed through the Spirit of Eagles program. Community-based participatory research involved 38 communities in a broad range of cancer control activities. The key to long-range improvement in cancer morbidity and mortality in AI/AN communities lies in building infrastructure to support strong partnerships enabling community-based participatory research. Cancer 2006. (c) 2006 American Cancer Society.

Alaska↗
PubMed2006

California American Indian and Alaska natives tribal groups' care access and utilization of care: policy implications.

Background. We used the 2001 California Health Interview Survey (CHIS) to examine differences in cancer care access and utilization by subgroups of American Indian and Alaskan Natives (AIAN). Methods. The CHIS 2001 includes over 55,000 Californian households, with an oversampling of California American Indian, non-California AIAN, and unknown AIAN tribal groups. Results. We found significant differences among the 3 tribal subgroups for various measures of health care coverage and utilization. Conclusions. AIAN must be disaggregated to provide appropriate data for public health and policy making.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2005

Cancer screening and risk factor rates among American Indians.

OBJECTIVES: We examined cancer screening and risk factor patterns in California using 4 different statistical tabulations of American Indian and Alaska Native (AIAN) populations. METHODS: We used the 2001 California Health Interview Survey to compare cancer screening and risk factor data across 4 different tabulation approaches. We calculated weighted prevalence estimates by gender and race/ethnicity for cancer screening and risk factors, sociodemographic characteristics, and access to care variables. We compared AIAN men and women with members of other racial groups and examined outcomes among AIAN men and women using the 4 tabulation methods. RESULTS: Although some differences were small, in general, screening and risk factor rates among American Indians/Alaska Natives were most similar to rates among Whites when the most inclusive multiracial tabulation approach was used and least similar when the more exclusive US census "single-race" approach was used. CONCLUSIONS: Racial misclassification and undercounting are among the most difficult obstacles to obtaining accurate and informative data on the AIAN population. Our analysis suggests some guidelines for overcoming these obstacles.

California↗
PubMed2005

A comparison of two Native American Navigator formats: face-to-face and telephone.

The study was designed to test the relative effectiveness of a Navigator intervention delivered face-to-face or by telephone to urban Native American women. The effectiveness of the intervention was evaluated using a design that included a pretest, random assignment to face-to-face or telephone group, and posttest. The Social Cognitive Theory-based intervention was a tailored education program developed to address individual risk factors for breast cancer. At posttest, self-reported mammograms in the past year increased from 29% to 41.3% in the telephone group and from 34.4% to 45.2% in the face-to-face group. There was no difference in change from pretest to posttest between the telephone and face-to-face groups. Navigators can be effective in increasing adherence to recommendations for screening mammography among urban American Indian women.

Aged↗
PubMed2005

Lessons learned from community-based participatory research in Indian country.

The purpose of this article is to share lessons learned from implementing community-based participatory research (CBPR) in Indian Country that may be generalizable to other medically underserved communities. CBPR is currently included in multiple grant announcements by the National Institute of Health and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, but information about this methodology vs traditional research methodology is often misleading. This article addresses some common mistakes made by academic research institutes by sharing what we have learned about how CBPR can be implemented in a respectful manner. The majority of tribal Nations prefer, if not mandate, that CBPR be used in most proposed studies involving their communities today.

Academies and Institutes↗
PubMed2005

Communicating respectfully with American Indian and Alaska natives: lessons from the California Health Interview Survey.

Background. California is home to the largest number of American Indians in the United States, including large numbers of residents who are from tribes outside of the state, in addition to Alaska Natives. In 2000 to 2001, the California Health Interview Survey randomly surveyed, by telephone, approximately 54,122 households throughout the state, focusing on public health and access to health care. Methods. American Indian and Alaska Native cultural competency training materials were developed for the data collection interviewers. Unique cultural and linguistic issues identified were (1) reservation dialect English, (2) the long pause, (3) slow speaking, (4) "walking on words," and (5) a brief review of the importance of collecting tribal heritage information. Conclusions. Since the successful implementation of the competency training, several researchers, practitioners, state agencies, and others have requested and implemented the training materials in their work. In this article, we review the training materials. We hope that these few tips will help others have successful experiences communicating respectfully with American Indian and Alaska Natives.

Alaska↗
PubMed2005

Community-driven Native American cancer survivors' quality of life research priorities.

BACKGROUND: This commentary summarizes quality of life (QOL) research priorities gleaned from three sources: (1) Native survivors who are participating as working group members to develop QOL education modules, (2) enrolled members of the "National Native American Cancer Survivors' Support Network," and (3) participants of the "1st National Native American Cancer Survivors'/Thrivers' Conference." METHODS: Criteria for including issues within this summary are that the issue was raised by 8 or more different survivors from at least 2 of the data collection sources. RESULTS: The research priorities identified insufficient or lack of access to quality care and resources. CONCLUSIONS: Nine research issues were prioritized by Native cancer survivors.

Burnout, Professional↗
PubMed2005

From survivorship to thrivership: native peoples weaving a healthy life from cancer.

BACKGROUND: In this commentary, we describe culturally specific cancer support and education programs that have been successfully adapted for use with both urban and reservation-based California Indian communities. METHODS: The Native American Cancer Survivor Support Circles were initiated in Los Angeles County in 2000 and were tailored for specific use with reservation-based communities in 2002. Support circles include culturally respectful ground rules, prayers, and culturally specific education topics (spirituality, coping with chemotherapy) and psychosocial support as well. RESULTS AND CONCLUSIONS: Evaluation showed that both Native men and women had greater confidence in their abilities to cope with their healing and recovery from cancer following participation.

California↗
PubMed2005

Sample genetic policy language for research conducted with native communities.

BACKGROUND: [corrected] We have been repeatedly asked to clarify genetic issues that have cultural ramifications for Native communities. METHOD: In the following commentary, we explain selected genetic issues that may vary among tribal nations; nonetheless, scientists should allocate sufficient time to meet with the tribal leaders and/or members of the tribal institutional review board prior to designing a genetic study to learn how selected issues are perceived by that specific tribal nation. RESULTS: Tribal nations generally encourage and mandate community-based participatory research methodology. CONCLUSIONS: We have included in this commentary draft language for study protocols to support researchers and tribal nations when developing studies pertaining to genetic issues.

Communication↗
PubMed2005

American Indians and Alaska Natives in California: women's cancer screening and results.

BACKGROUND AND METHODS: The purpose of this article was to examine differences in demographics, general health status, and utilization of breast and cervical cancer screening for subgroups of American Indians and Alaska Natives (AIAN) using the 2001 California Health Interview Survey. RESULTS: The statewide distribution of California American Indians, non-California AIANs, and unknown AIANs are 10%, 51%, and 39%, respectively. Significant differences exist among the 3 tribal subgroups. CONCLUSIONS: Overall, AIAN women aged 40+ years are close to the Healthy People 2010 goals for receipt of a mammogram in the past 2 years and for receipt of a Pap test ever and in the past 3 years. Less than 5% of AIAN in California report Indian Health Service coverage.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2005

Walking forward: the South Dakota Native American project.

BACKGROUND: The "Walking Forward" program is a scientific collaborative program between Rapid City Regional Hospital, the University of Wisconsin, the Mayo Clinic, and partnerships with the American Indian community in western South Dakota-3 reservations and 1 urban population. The purpose is to increase participation of health disparities populations on National Cancer Institute clinical trials as part of the Cancer Disparities Research Partnership program. Clinical practice suggests that Native American cancer patients present with more advanced stages of cancer and hence have lower cure rates and higher treatment-related morbidities. It is hypothesized that a conventional course of cancer treatment lasting 6 to 8 weeks may be a barrier. METHODS: Innovative clinical trials have been developed to shorten the course of treatment. A molecular predisposition to treatment side effects is also explored. These clinical endeavors will be performed in conjunction with a patient navigator research program. RESULTS AND CONCLUSIONS: Research metrics include analysis of process, clinical trials participation, treatment outcome, and assessment of access to cancer care at an early stage of disease.

Breast Neoplasms↗
PubMed2005

A review of effective strategies for native women's breast health outreach and education.

BACKGROUND: This commentary provides a summary of a pilot study designed to assist the American Cancer Society in revising the Circle of Life breast health program for American Indians and Alaska Natives (AIANs). METHODS: Included are analyses of a literature review focusing on breast health outreach strategies among AIANs and in-depth interviews with breast health focus group facilitators. Over 70 AIAN breast or cervix cancer screening articles were reviewed, and approximately 20 focus group facilitators were interviewed. RESULTS AND CONCLUSIONS: A primary finding was that AIAN breast cancer outreach, education, and screening programs are most effective when community-driven and culturally relevant to local tribal nations and geographic regions.

Breast Neoplasms↗
PubMed2005

The use of an electronic audience response system for data collection.

BACKGROUND: Gathering complete and accurate data from community groups, particularly medically underserved populations, is challenging. METHODS: An electronic audience response system (ARS) is a novel method for the efficient collection of data while maintaining participant confidentiality in group settings. RESULTS: Because data are captured electronically, an ARS eliminates the need to transfer data from paper forms, reducing errors and the amount of time required for data management. CONCLUSIONS: ARS is a useful data collection tool that works well with diverse populations and greatly increases data accuracy and completeness while maintaining participant confidentiality.

Computer Communication Networks↗
PubMed2005

Successful implementation of genetic Education for Native Americans workshops at national conferences.

Genetic Education for Native Americans (GENA) was a National Human Genome Research Institute (NHGRI)/Ethical, Legal, and Social Implications (ELSI)-funded educational intervention designed to provide a unique genetics education program for Native American college and university students. A curriculum was developed and implemented in workshops in geographically diverse settings throughout the United States, primarily in conjunction with regional and national scientific conferences that include substantial numbers of Native American attendees. The original curriculum includes 24 objectives and has been offered in two formats, as a 16-hr "comprehensive" program and in briefer workshops (referred to as "customized" hereafter) that are designed to include objectives for selected audiences. Both formats teach sufficient genetics to allow discussion and understanding of the ELSI and cultural issues related to genetics science. This article describes the evaluation findings from our implementation of both formats of the GENA curriculum.

Congresses as Topic↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Implementing women's cancer screening programs in American Indian and Alaska Native populations.

The National Breast and Cervical Cancer Early Detection Program provides funding to tribes and tribal organizations to implement comprehensive cancer screening programs using a program model developed for state health departments. We conducted a multiple-site case study using a participatory research process to describe how 5 tribal programs implemented screening services, and to identify strategies used to address challenges in delivering services to American Indian and Alaska Native women. We analyzed data from semistructured interviews with 141 key informants, 16 focus groups with 132 program-eligible women, and program documents. Several challenges regarding the delivery of services were revealed, including implementing screening programs in busy acute-care environments, access to mammography, providing culturally sensitive care, and providing diagnostic/treatment services in rural and remote locations. Strategies perceived as successful in meeting program challenges included identifying a "champion" or main supporter of the program in each clinical setting, using mobile mammography, using female providers, and increasing the capacity to provide diagnostic services at screening sites. The results should be of interest to an international audience, including those who work with health-related programs targeting indigenous women or groups that are marginalized because of culture, geographic isolation, and/or socioeconomic position.

Alaska↗