Summaries of Minority Research Infrastructure Support Program (M-RISP) Awards

Belcourt, Gordon

Institution: Montana-Wyoming Tribal Leaders Council, Billings, MT
Grant Title: Infrastructure Development and Health Research
Grant Number: R24 HS14034-02

Project Description:  The Tribal Leaders Council (TLC) serves 10 Tribes in Montana and Wyoming.  This renewal builds on accomplishments from the initial 3 three year grant and supports the objectives that have been identified in the TLC's Strategic Plan for Improving Health of Indian People in Montana and Wyoming:

1. Continue to build capacity at TLC and among its Tribes to address priority health issues identified by Tribes through well-designed research that produces findings that can be used to improve health.
2. Build capacity and infrastructure for Tribal participatory research focused on health promotion, prevention, and management of chronic diseases, within TLC and individual Tribes.
3. Build capacity and infrastructure within individual Tribes to support success in applying for and managing grant programs.
4. Increase support for culturally-appropriate health programs and for the role of traditional medicine practitioners within those programs.

In addition, three Research Studies will be conducted.  All three of these Research Studies build on the research conducted by the TLC under its initial M-RISP grant.  The research studies are:

• Evaluation of Interventions for Promoting Healthy Weight in American Indian Women.
• Research on Factors Contributing to Breast and Cervical Cancer Outcomes Among American Indian Women in Montana.
• Implementation and Evaluation of a "Healthy Reservations" Model for A Systemwide Approach to Improving Health.

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