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Biomedical subjects

M Tenney

Publications and source records attributed to M Tenney.

11 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2000

Native American recruitment into breast cancer screening: the NAWWA project.

BACKGROUND: American Indian women's historically low breast cancer incidence and mortality rates have gradually increased such that in many parts of the United States they equal "U.S. All Races" rates. Thus, American Indian women need screening to maintain their low rates. METHODS: In an outreach program, local American Indian women were trained as lay health advisers, "Native Sisters," to locate and contact American Indian women in the Denver metropolitan area and provide education and encouragement to increase participation in mammography screening. Participation was monitored and interviews collected descriptive information and information about risk factors for breast cancer. An interrupted-time-series design was used to assess changes in mammography participation. RESULTS: The NAWWA program increased recruitment of American Indian women (p < 0.05). Women recruited by the Native Sisters were more likely to be currently on hormone replacement therapy and to be menopausal. CONCLUSIONS: The lay health adviser program was effective in recruiting American Indian women to have screening mammography. Barriers to participation were complex and often involved cultural values and beliefs.

Adult↗
PubMed1996

Overview of the Native American Cancer Conference III. Risk factors, outreach and intervention strategies.

BACKGROUND: Based on the lack of published information regarding Native Americans and cancer and the success of previous meetings, the Network for Cancer Control Research among American Indian and Alaska Native Populations (NCCR-AIANP) and the Native Hawaiian and American Samoan Cancer Research Network determined there was sufficient need to have annual national Native American cancer conferences. METHODS: The NCCR-AIANP, the Native Hawaiian and American Samoan Cancer Research Network, and the AMC Native American Cancer Research Program collaborated to organize the third national Native American cancer conference, "Native American Cancer Conference III: Risk Factors, Outreach and Intervention Strategies." RESULTS: The conference was held in Seattle, Washington, June 16-19, 1995. It provided a forum for scientific discussion and dissemination of information related to cancer prevention and control. CONCLUSIONS: Conference participants benefited from the topics presented and the diversity of the audience members. There continues to be a need to share what is happening in cancer research with this unique population and to address new issues of concern. A cancer conference seems to be a useful mechanism to provide such an opportunity.

American Samoa↗
PubMed1996

Native American Cancer Conference III. Cognitive correlates and impressions of attendees.

BACKGROUND: The results of preconference and postconference surveys, as well as conference evaluation forms, distributed to attendees at the "Native American Cancer Conference III: Risk Factors, Outreach and Intervention Strategies," Seattle, Washington, June 16-19, 1995, are presented. METHODS: Conference attendees were requested to complete a multi-item survey designed to assess knowledge and perceptions relating to cancer among native peoples at the beginning and end of the conference. The evaluation instrument solicited qualitative impressions of the conference. RESULTS: Survey respondents were predominantly female (70%), and approximately half were native persons representing 48 different American Indian and Alaska Native communities. Knowledge levels were generally high at baseline for most items relating to cancer, with evidence of significant improvement for several items on the postconference survey. The majority of respondents believed that cancer was of equal importance compared with other health problems and that cancer services for American Indians and Alaska Natives are generally less extensive compared with the majority population; there was no evidence of opinion change noted in the postconference survey. Results from the qualitative evaluation expressed the unique and affirmative experiences among participants in terms of the social, cultural, and informational sharing that occurred. CONCLUSIONS: It is hoped that the positive experiences of conference attendees will serve to stimulate the organization of similar programs and the design of research projects that both assess and expand cancer control services among Native peoples.

Adult↗
PubMed1996

Tribal-based cancer control activities. Services and perceptions.

BACKGROUND: Cancer is becoming a significant health problem for American Indians and Alaska Natives. Despite the precipitous increase in cancer rates in these populations, limited data are available regarding the extent of cancer control services available in these communities. METHODS: A cross-sectional survey of tribal health directors of all federally recognized tribes was undertaken to discover the breadth of cancer control activities offered and directors' perceptions of and priorities ascribed to cancer. RESULTS: Little more than half (53%) of respondents perceived cancer rates to be increasing. Cancer was found to rank fifth among seven health conditions when directors were asked to rank their tribe's commitment to confronting each. Lower relative levels of awareness of cancer patterns coupled with competing health problems relegated cancer control activities to low-priority issues. CONCLUSIONS: Findings from this study underscore the need to elevate the issue of cancer in Indian Country and to educate investigators to become more sensitive and responsive to other tribal health issues.

Alaska↗
PubMed1996

Urban-based Native American cancer-control activities: services and perceptions.

BACKGROUND: Cancer has become a significant health concern in American Indian communities. Over the past several decades Native peoples have experienced significant increases in life expectancy and, with these gains, significant increases in cancer incidence and mortality. Limited data are available concerning cancer-control activities accessible to American Indian communities. Even less is known about control programs in place for American Indians resident in urban areas, where more that half of all Native peoples reside. METHODS: To ascertain the extent of available services and perceptions of health directors, a survey of all Indian-Health-Service-recognized urban clinics was undertaken. RESULTS: Results indicate that the cancer needs of American Indians resident in urban areas are not being adequately addressed. Only one-third of urban health directors reported perceived increases in cancer incidence and mortality rates. The directors ranked cancer fifth among seven health problems in terms of their clinics' commitment to addressing them. Findings from this study are juxtaposed with whose obtained in a separate survey of reservation-based health directors. CONCLUSIONS: Results indicate a need to develop more responsive cancer-control programs in Indian country and to sensitize researchers to other health needs of these communities.

Cancer Care Facilities↗
PubMed1995

Recruitment of minority subjects for intervention research.

Recruitment of ethnic or racial minority subjects for health intervention research is a methodologic challenge. A recruitment plan that consisted of a feasibility analysis, recruitment strategies and activities, and evaluation was developed and used for a smoking cessation study of pregnant Latinas. Specific recruitment recommendations for similar research consist of a thorough feasibility analysis, developing partnerships with target groups and community members, using active face-to-face recruitment, and using process evaluation techniques.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1995

A research agenda for health education among underserved populations.

This article summarizes the outcome of health education efforts among populations that, due to their cultural heritage, have received limited services. The literature reviewed shows that programs found to be effective in one population cannot be assumed to be equally effective with a different population. An argument is made for the design of culturally appropriate and group-specific interventions which would properly serve the various underserved populations. Research needs to be conducted to identify appropriate approaches and intervention strategies, as well as the group-specific sociopsychological characteristics (attitudes, norms, values, expectancies) that are related to health-damaging and protective behaviors.

Attitude to Health↗
PubMed1984

Administration and service delivery in the SSI program: the first 10 years.

This article provides an overview of the administrative structures and processes through which the Social Security Administration delivers its services to Supplemental Security Income (SSI) claimants and recipients. It documents the improvements and adjustments that have been made in the administration of SSI from 1974, when the program began, through 1983, the 10th year of its operation. The first decade of SSI was marked by significant changes that have led to improvements in fiscal responsibility and administrative efficiency for the program. Among the subjects covered are the legislative history of the program, the claims process, posteligibility procedures, underpayments and overpayments, the administrative complexities that have had to be surmounted, and administrative efforts aimed at quality assurance.

Aged↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Tribal-based cancer control activities among Alaska Natives: services and perceptions.

Cancer has become a significant health problem in American Indian and Alaskan Native (AI/AN) communities. Despite the precipitous rise in cancer rates, limited data are available concerning cancer control services operative in these communities. To address this issue, a cross-sectional survey of all federally recognized tribes was undertaken to ascertain the breadth of cancer control activities offered and Tribal Health Directors perceptions of and priorities ascribed to cancer. This article presents responses given by AN Health Directors juxtaposed to those proffered by AI Health Directors. Nearly three-quarters (71%) of respondents perceived cancer rates to be increasing. Cancer was found to rank third, fifth among AI Health Directors, among seven health conditions when Directors were asked to rank their Tribe's commitment to confronting each one. Awareness of cancer as a public health concern coupled with competing health problems relegates cancer control activities to a lower priority. Findings underscore the need to elevate the issue of cancer in Indian Country as well as to educate investigators to become more sensitive and responsive to other Tribal health issues.

Alaska↗