Alaska Native People Leading Health Research

Acknowledging the History

Often, research in the past was conducted by people who did not understand Alaska Native people and our cultures. Researchers came to our home communities, stayed long enough to gather information and left without telling us about the results. In some cases, Alaska Native people did not even know they were in part of a research study.

Research Today

Research today is different. The United States has different laws for research and informed consent is required. Tribal health organizations like Southcentral Foundation also oversee research. Southcentral Foundation is even involved in picking what topics they think are most important to study. More Alaska Native people are doing the research, and new programs are being created to meet the needs of Alaska Native people based on new information learned. One example is the Diabetes Prevention Research Study being led by Southcentral Foundation.

Health Research and Alaska Native People

Southcentral Foundation and the Alaska Native Tribal Health Consortium began a statewide Alaska Native Health Research Conference in 2002. Researchers share results with the Native Community and Alaska Native people can meet researchers from universities and government agencies. The 2006 conference theme was "Making It Work For You: Responding to Community Needs." For a list of 2006 abstracts and information about the speakers, visit:
2006 Research Conference Proceedings.pdf

The 2009 conference theme was "Responding to Community Needs: Gaining Wisdom and Sharing Knowledge". For a list of 2009 abstracts and information about the speakers, visit: 2009 Alaska Native Health Research Conference

Southcentral Foundation's Leadership

Southcentral Foundation leads several health research studies. Traditions of the Heart is a study about how to prevent heart disease funded by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Alaska Native women between the ages of 40 and 64 can join.

A Tradition of Healthy Families and Healthy Children, Healthy Communities are funded by the Native American Research Centers for Health. Both help Alaska Native people learn about research.

One of our newer research studies is called the Ethical and Cultural Implications of Specimen Banking Among Alaska Native People.

Research in Other Regions

Research with Alaska Native people is taking place across the state. For example, the Alaska Native Science Commission is studying Alaska Native knowledge about the environment, animals and plants.

Please visit these websites for more information about health research involving Alaska Native people: