Focus group research was conducted to examine indigenous conceptions of wellness among the Yup'ik Eskimos of southwestern Alaska. The dialogue on wellness emphasized the importance of living a traditional lifestyle, seeking creative solutions to manage drastic cultural change, and fostering connection within the communities and the native landscape. These themes mesh well with existing characterizations of Alaska Native experiences and worldviews, and reflect substantial links between enculturation, acculturation and health. The data underscores the importance of comprehending local conceptions of wellness in order to effectively work toward promoting optimal health. This paper represents part of an ongoing dialogue in which researchers and native communities co-direct the investigation into healthy ways of being in the world.

Objectives. To describe the background, approach and general results of the Center for Alaska Native Health Research (CANHR) study. Study Design. This was a cross-sectional Community-Based Participatory Research (CBPR) study with one tribal group to assess risk and protection for obesity and the risk factors related to chronic disease, diabetes and cardiovascular disease. Methods. A combination of biological, genetic, nutritional and psychosocial measurements were taken on 9 Alaska Native participants in ten communities in Southwestern Alaska. The paper reports on data from 753 adult participants. Results. The prevalence of type diabetes is .% in the sample population. Metabolic syndrome is significantly lower among the males and equal for females when compared with Caucasians in the NHANES III sample. Obesity among adults is now at the national average. Risk factors for chronic disease include a shift to a Westernized diet, stress, obesity and impaired fasting glucose and protective factors include high levels of polyunsaturated fatty acid dietary intake. Articles in this issue present specific results in these areas. Conclusions. The data strongly indicate that, in general, Yup'ik people in our study are metabolically healthy and that diet and life style provide a delicate combination of protective and risk factors. The results strongly indicate that solution focused research (1) utilizing primary and secondary prevention strategies may provide evidence for how to intervene to prevent further increases of chronic diseases. Research that focuses on relating the intrinsic strengths of indigenous worldviews and practices with basic research may contribute to positive transformations in community health.

Objectives. Knowledge of cultural beliefs about health and how they influence life choices and intervention is essential in forming health policy and health promotion programs to meet the growing needs of aging minority populations. This study explores cultural beliefs and practices of health and well-being of Yup'ik/Cup'ik women in two rural villages in southwestern Alaska. Study Design. Exploratory, descriptive qualitative study. Methods. Interviews were conducted with 5 mid-life and older women to address two key research questions: 1) How do Yup'ik/Cup'ik women define health and wellbeing; and 2) What environmental, social, and cultural factors contribute to healthy aging? Results. The women in this study define health aging within the framework of subsistence living−keeping busy, walking, eating subsistence foods, and respect for elders. These beliefs and practices promote a strong, active body and mind, vital components to healthy aging. Conclusions. While many health beliefs and practices appear very different from those current in research on aging, many commonalities and similarities emerge−concern for family, importance of physical activity and healthy diet. A significant finding of this study is that traditional Yup'ik/ Cup'ik ways of living parallel that of current research findings on what constitutes healthy aging in mainstream populations. (Int J Circumpolar Health 2007; 66(1):42-50)

(2005) Building a community-based participatory research center to investigate obesity and diabetes

Objectives. To report on the relationships between cultural identity and stress, coping, and psychological well-being in Yup'ik communities. Study Design. A quantitative self-administered questionnaire. Methods. A health and wellness survey was completed by a total of 88 Yup'ik participants ( 8 women and 0 men) from 6 rural villages in the Yukon-Kuskokwim Delta region. Respondents were fairly equally distributed across an age range of 14 to 94 (mean ± SD = 38.50 ± 17.18). Results. Participants who reported living more of a Kass'aq way of life (greater acculturation) reported experiencing greater psychosocial stress, less happiness, and greater use of drugs and alcohol to cope with stress. Participants who reported identifying more with a traditional Yup'ik way of life reported greater happiness, more frequent use of religion and spirituality to cope with stress, and less frequent use of drugs and alcohol to cope with stress. Conclusions. In conjunction with previous research, the data strongly indicates that in general, Yup'ik people in the Y-K Delta tend to associate stress and negative health outcomes with the process of acculturation, and health and healing with the process of enculturation. Research that focuses on documenting the intrinsic strengths of indigenous worldviews may contribute to positive transformations in community health. (Int J Circumpolar Health 2007; 66(1):51-61)