Chinle

This research aims to improve breast cancer screening rates among Native American women in the Navajo Nation by evaluating a culturally tailored educational program called TEAM. The study compares the impact of TEAM alone versus TEAM combined with personalized support called Navigation, provided by a Dine9 peer-navigator. The goal is to address disparities in mammography use in this community by promoting acceptance and participation in screening. Participants will be randomly assigned to receive either the TEAM education modules, which are delivered via a tablet and designed with community input to fit cultural needs, or TEAM plus monthly one-on-one Navigation support. The Navigation involves personal assistance from a peer to encourage and guide women through the mammography process. This approach aims to understand whether adding Navigation improves screening uptake compared to education alone. Women will be monitored for mammogram completion three months after starting the study. Researchers will track how many participants receive a mammogram within this period. Participation involves completing the education modules and, if assigned, engaging in monthly support sessions. The study focuses on women aged 40 to 74 who have not had a mammogram in the past year and live near the Chinle Comprehensive HealthCare Facility.

Researchers are evaluating behavioral health programs designed to reduce mental and behavioral health problems in American Indian and Alaska Native communities, where access to culturally appropriate services is limited. This study compares the Family Spirit Strengths (FSS) program, a skills-based secondary prevention intervention, with an evidence-based nutrition education program. FSS incorporates elements from the Common Elements Treatment Approach (CETA) and culturally informed materials developed with guidance from an Indigenous advisory group to support mental health and community connections. The study randomly assigns participants to receive either the Family Spirit Strengths program or the Family Spirit Nurture nutrition education program. The FSS program focuses on psychoeducation about mental and emotional health, normalizing stress, reducing stigma around seeking help, and building hope. It teaches awareness of links between thoughts, feelings, behaviors, and spirituality, while encouraging cultural connections as coping strategies. The nutrition program serves as an active control, emphasizing healthy parental feeding practices and promoting healthy beverage choices. Participants are assessed at baseline, 3-4 months, and 6-8 months after starting the program. Researchers measure the difference in the number of poor mental health days over the last 30 days using the Health-Related Quality of Life measure. The study also monitors participant engagement and outcomes related to depressive symptoms, anxiety, substance use risk, and overall mental health. The total participation timeline spans up to eight months post baseline assessment.

Researchers are evaluating the Hastiin Bidziil (Strong Man) Intervention, a secondary prevention program designed to reduce substance use among Native American Indian men aged 18 years and older. This study is part of the larger Community-Driven Indigenous Research, Cultural Strengths & Leadership to Advance Equity in Substance Use Outcomes (CIRCLE) Center of Excellence, which works with Indigenous communities to address drug use related health issues. The study uses a randomized controlled trial design to assess the program's effectiveness. The study compares two groups: one receiving the Hastiin Bidziil intervention, which is a culturally and gender-specific version of the Common Elements Treatment Approach (CETA), and a control group participating in vehicle maintenance sessions. The control group attends five sessions covering basic vehicle care such as tire changing, fluid level checks, and winterizing. The intervention is tailored to maximize community impact and cultural relevance. Participants will be followed for 8 months post baseline, during which researchers will measure the number of days participants use substances using the Time Line Follow-back method. Assessments include tracking substance use days to evaluate the program's impact. The study focuses on adult Native men living near the study communities and involves monitoring substance use patterns over time to assess the intervention's effectiveness.