Bethel

Heart disease is a leading cause of death among Yupik Alaska Native people, with risk factors linked to changes in diet and physical activity over the past 60 years. This research aims to evaluate the effectiveness of the Diet and Active Lifestyle - Yuuyaraq DAiLY intervention, which is grounded in Yupik cultural values and Indigenous Food Sovereignty, to reduce heart disease risk by promoting healthier eating and more active lifestyles. The DAiLY intervention lasts two years and includes three main components home-based workshops led by community members to increase knowledge about healthy traditional and store-bought foods and physical activity modifications in local food stores to improve access to affordable healthy foods through promotions and education and community events such as traditional dance, sports, and berry festivals to encourage physical activity. These components are supported by social media, text messaging, and visual materials, with participants using Fitbits to track activity. Participants will be involved in workshops, community events, and store promotions while researchers collect data through fasting blood samples, physical measurements, activity monitors, and questionnaires on diet and wellness. The study measures changes in heart disease risk using a continuous metabolic syndrome score over two years and also evaluates participant satisfaction, program reach, and community-level outcomes like food access and physical activity opportunities. Results will be shared with communities, and all intervention materials will be freely available after the trial.

Researchers are studying indoor air quality and respiratory health in Alaska Native children under 5 years old living in rural homes in the Yukon-Kuskokwim Delta. This area has a high rate of respiratory illness, partly due to wood stove use and indoor tobacco smoke, which increase harmful particulate matter PM2.5 in the air. The study aims to evaluate how using HEPA air purifiers affects air quality and childrens respiratory symptoms in homes with these exposures. Participants will receive HEPA purifiers and air monitoring devices to use in their homes daily for 12 weeks. They will set up the equipment, operate it continuously, and report weekly on their childs respiratory symptoms by phone or text. After 12 weeks, the air monitoring equipment will be returned to the study team, but families will keep the HEPA purifiers. Throughout the study, researchers will measure indoor PM2.5 levels to assess air quality improvements and track symptom-free days reported for the child. The study involves weekly symptom reporting and equipment monitoring over the 12-week period. This helps evaluate the purifiers impact on reducing respiratory symptoms and improving air quality in these rural homes.

Researchers are studying whether monthly food support can improve food security among households facing food insecurity in rural Alaska Native communities of the Yukon-Kuskokwim Delta. The study aims to find out if this monthly support can reduce stress, increase dietary diversity, and enhance self-reported wellness in recipients. The trial compares households receiving monthly food boxes to those on a wait list without study-related food support for three months. Participants receiving food support will get a monthly box containing traditional proteins like caribou or salmon when available, along with complementary foods such as rice or canned vegetables. The box value depends on household size, ranging from 100 to 250 monthly. Households on the wait list will receive the same food support after three months. Food support continues for both groups beyond the study period. During the study, participants complete questionnaires at the start and after three months to assess food security, dietary diversity, stress levels, and Yupik wellness. The main outcome measured is food security, with secondary outcomes including dietary variety and perceived stress. The study lasts at least three months, with ongoing food support and monitoring of wellness and stress indicators.