Abstract
Background: Few models for effective health interventions exist for stemming the tide of American Indian (AI) childhood obesity rates; they are among the highest in the United States and are increasing. Obesity-related chronic diseases (i.e., diabetes type II and cardiovascular disease) rates far exceed other U.S. racial groups. Some studies show success with health interventions that center within an AI worldview and approach, rather than those that center on an individualistic Western worldview. The Tribal Health Sovereignty (THS) model presented here defines health through an AI perspective and applicably to food and exercise intervention. The model discussed in this paper is grounded in a study, which used a community-based participatory research (CBPR) photovoice methodology and can be used to design effective health interventions. Methods: Development of the THS model was guided by Earp and Ennett’s representation of concept model development for health education research and intervention. 1 Findings from a CBPR study that used photovoice methodology informed the model. Differences between AI and Western models of health are explored and illuminate how an interventions shaped by Indigenous culture and worldview can lead to better health outcomes among AI people. Results: A THS model was developed to guide future AI interventions embedded within tribal culture. Conclusions: By using a THS model, tribal communities can engage in identifying barriers and facilitators for health to lower childhood obesity.
| Original language | English (US) |
|---|---|
| Pages (from-to) | 353-362 |
| Number of pages | 10 |
| Journal | Progress in Community Health Partnerships: Research, Education, and Action |
| Volume | 12 |
| Issue number | 3 |
| DOIs | |
| State | Published - Sep 1 2018 |
Bibliographical note
Funding Information:This research was funded by a National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute: Healthy Children, Strong Families and Supportive Communities Intervention grants (U01HL087381 and 3U01HL087381-03S1). We would like to acknowledge Alexandra Adams (PI) for her advisory role in the initial research that supports the model discussed in this article.We are honored to acknowledge all of the community members who participated in this project. We are grateful for the contributions of the students who participated in the project for sharing their wisdom with us. We are also indebted to Dr. Alex Adams, who led the parent grant and provided mentoring throughout.
Publisher Copyright:
© 2018 Johns Hopkins University Press.
Keywords
- Access
- American indian/native American
- Community-based participatory research
- Delivery of health care
- Education
- Evaluation
- Health promotion
- Health services
- Indigenous
- Integrated
- Sociology and social phenomena
- Students
