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Native Vision Tobacco Program

Theda J. McPheron Keel, RN, MA, MS, MA1, Joe Jose, MSW2, Robert H. Feldman, PhD3, Harry Kwon, MPH, CHES4, and Min Qi Wang, PhD3. (1) University of Maryland; Department of Public & Community Health, 6739D South Clifton Road, Frederick, MD 21703, 301-371-8759, windholo@windhollow.org, (2) Tobacco Control, Native American Community Health Center, Inc, 3008 North Third St., Phoenix, AZ 85012, (3) Department of Public and Community Health, University of Maryland, Valley Drive, College Park, MD 20742, (4) Department of Public and Community Health, University of Maryland, College Park, CHHP, College Park, MD 20742

The Phoenix Native American Community Health Center, Wind Hollow Foundation, University of Maryland personnel and Arizona community and tribal organizations have conducted substantial research into the DUAL view of tobacco (ceremonial/sacred use verses commercial/daily use) among American Indians in Arizona. This collaborative effort includes grassroots participants, tribal leaders, and traditional practitioners and uses both quantitative and qualitative methods. Data has been included into a single database for statistical analysis. While 52% of the respondents use ceremonial tobacco, only 22% of the users of ceremonial tobacco also report using commercial tobacco. 83% of users of commercial tobacco have thoughts of quitting smoking, chewing, or dipping with 59% of commercial tobacco users desiring more information about quitting programs. Also, 35% would like to use a traditional healer as part of health intervention programs. These outreach efforts are being captured on documentary style film for use in community health training materials. This project has documented the DUAL view of tobacco among tribal populations and explored ways in which spiritual views of tobacco can be incorporated into community based American Indian tobacco cessation/reduction programs. These “blended” approaches have allowed academic researchers to partner with community service providers and increased access to numerous resources necessary for the development of culturally appropriate tobacco cessation/reduction programs which incorporate traditional American Indian spirituality and healing practices. Examples of culturally specific and appropriate survey/data collection methods, data return and implementation in the community, the use of documentary film and the development of instructional tools will be detailed.

Learning Objectives:

  • At the end of the presentation, attendees will be able to

    Keywords: American Indians, Alternative Medicine/Therapies

    Presenting author's disclosure statement:
    Organization/institution whose products or services will be discussed: Native American Community Health Center; Wind Hollow Foundation; University of Maryland, College Park
    I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.

    Alternative and Complementary Health Practices and Public Health

    The 132nd Annual Meeting (November 6-10, 2004) of APHA