Cancer Control Research
5R01CA088958-06
Slattery, Marty L.
A PROSPECTIVE STUDY OF ALASKA NATIVES & AMERICAN INDIANS
Abstract
DESCRIPTION: (Provided by applicant) Rates of chronic diseases vary
substantially between American Indians and Alaska Natives (AIANs) and U.S.
white populations for reasons that are largely unknown. Although little is
known about factors that affect chronic diseases in AIANs, incidence rates for
most chronic diseases are increasing. This 4-year proposal focuses on the
development of an AIAN cohort to obtain a better understanding of the
disparity in disease rates and risk factor knowledge that exist between AIANs
and U.S. white populations. The purpose of this proposal is to develop valid
and reliable methods to obtain diet, physical activity, and lifestyle
information and to determine the most efficient and effective ways to recruit,
enroll, and track study participants from diverse populations. We will work
with local communities to develop culturally appropriate questionnaires that
will accurately capture dietary intake, physical activity patterns lifestyle
and cultural habits. We will work with local health providers and the Indian
Health Service to access relevant study-related data from medical records and
we will establish population-based recruitment methods. Starting in year 3 of
the proposal, we will initiate recruitment and data collection, testing
various protocols to determine the most efficient and effective way to conduct
the study. We project that 2000 Alaska Natives, 3000 American Indians from the
Navajo Nation, and 1500 American Indians from the Plains states will be
enrolled over a 24-month time period. This number of participants is needed to
adequately test our ability to enroll large numbers of individuals as well as
determine potential burden to clinics as a result of enrollment. The major
scientific goal of the AIAN cohort is to determine how diet, physical
activity, and other lifestyle and cultural factors relate to the development
and progression of chronic diseases such as cancer, cardiovascular disease,
stroke, Type 2 diabetes, chronic lung and respiratory diseases, and related
mortality from these diseases. Study data will be used to assess health status
and identify groups of the population at risk for various health conditions.
Longitudinal data will be used to identify factors that contribute to health
and prevent disease. The AIAN cohort will serve as a resource to enhance
research and training activities of AIAN students interested in health
research, health education, and general public health.
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