The 131st Annual Meeting (November 15-19, 2003) of APHA

Abstract #68296

Casey Cooper, Exec Director and Jeff Bachar, MPH. Health and Medical Division, Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians, PO Box 666, Cherokee, NC 28719, 828 497 2254, jjbachar@att.net

There are unique challenges to be addressed when conducting research among Native Americans due to a history of exploitation perpetrated by researchers. The first of a series of annual door-to-door surveys was conducted during 2001-2002 among the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians (EBCI) as part of the evaluation of the CDC’s national REACH 2010 program. The National Opinion Research Center (NORC) was contracted by CDC to implement the survey. This paper will discuss the manner in which the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians and the CDC collaborated to develop a culturally appropriate methodology for collecting information to be used in the evaluation of a diabetes prevention program. From the perspective of the community being surveyed the CDC initially did not abide principles of effective collaboration (i.e., the community was not involved in the design of the survey questions; there was no community involvement in deciding the population to be surveyed). This created feelings of resentment among the study population. The CDC took steps to rectify this situation by traveling to Cherokee and meeting in person with community members and appealing to tribal council for approval to conduct the survey. The NORC sought community input regarding hiring of local interviewers, notifying community members about the survey and identifying ways to be culturally sensitive when implementing the survey.

Learning Objectives:

• OBJECTIVES: At the conclusion of this session, participants will be able to
• understand the challenges of a federal-local collaboration to evaluate a
• community based diabetes intervention in a Native American community.

Keywords: Community-Based Public Health, Native Americans

Presenting author's disclosure statement:
Organization/institution whose products or services will be discussed: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, National Opinion Research Center, Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians
I have a significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.
Relationship: Grants from CDC and employment by Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians