Search PubMed⌕ Search

Biomedical subjects

L Burhansstipanov

Publications and source records attributed to L Burhansstipanov.

13 recordsLinked to original sources
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

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↗
PubMedDate not supplied

National Cancer Institute's Native American cancer research projects.

The purpose of this paper is to briefly describe several of the NCI Native American initiatives that illustrate the diversity and breadth of NCI's commitment to indigenous peoples. The National Cancer Institute (NCI) began introducing Native American cancer initiatives in 1987. Initiatives which are described in the paper include the following: four intervention research projects on cervical and breast cancer among Native Americans; four intervention research projects on the prevention of tobacco and dietary cancer risk factors among American indians; investigator-initiated developmental research grants on cervical and breast cancer; intra-agency agreements with the Indian Health Service; the Network for Cancer Control Research among American Indian and Alaska Native Populations; Native American Training Opportunities Meeting; Data-based Intervention Research projects which focus on Native Americans.

Female↗
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↗