The Health Promotion and Disease Awareness (HP/DP) Program for Native Populations

Part of a Special Series on Health Communications in Native American Populations

In accordance with President George W. Bush's Healthier U.S. initiative, the Indian Health Service (IHS) developed a program based on analysis of the primary health challenges confronting American Indian and Alaska Native populations. Foremost among the underlying problems are chronic diseases and conditions frequently associated with lifestyle issues such as obesity, inadequate dietary balance, insufficient exercise, alcohol and other substance abuse.

This, in addition to diseases previously known to more frequently and/or severely affect Native Americans than other populations (diabetes, HIV/AIDS and others), clarified an urgent need for an education and awareness process to inform the populations on how these conditions may impact their lives, and preventative measures that can help them avoid or minimize exposure.

An effective health information delivery system requires a cultural awareness and familiarity with local or tribal customs and beliefs, which influence health-related behavior as well as providing insights to devise successful health communication and intervention programs. An emphasis on cultural aspects is consistent with the national health and wellness objective of addressing and eliminating health-related disparities found in population subgroups.

The resultant Health Promotion and Disease Prevention (HP/DP) program established a Prevention Task Force to develop and implement a cohesive health communications plan, with coordinators in the 12 IHS Areas using a local and regional approach to health improvement, and to identification and prevention of chronic disease.

Primary goals of the HP/DP program include promotion and expansion of community and clinical health services delivery; local-level education and awareness to enhance the ability of tribal, IHS and Urban program health workers to deliver services; development of communication materials to raise awareness of specific health concerns; and development of a central depot of resources, training and assessment tools to expand community access.

Additional Resources:

Overview of the Indian Health Service HP/DP initiative http://www.ihs.gov/NonMedicalPrograms/HPDP/
Native American Health Issues and Resources, University of Illinois McKinley Health Center http://www.mckinley.illinois.edu/multiculturalhealth/Nativeamericanhealth.htm
“Reaching at risk populations: The Inconsistency of Communications Channels Among Native American Populations in Oklahoma,” Jilane Rodgers & Shari Veil, May 23, 2009 http://www.allacademic.com//meta/p_mla_apa_research_citation/2/3/3/2/3/pages233233/p233233-1.php
“The Role of Culture in Health Communication,” Matthew W. Kreuter & Stephanie M. McClure, abstract, Annual Review of Public Health vol. 25; 439-455, April 2004 http://jls.sagepub.com/cgi/content/abstract/28/2/158

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