PROJECT SUMMARY/ABSTRACT – Overall The Alaska Native Tribal Health Consortium (ANTHC) vision is that “Alaska Native People are the healthiest people in the world”. To achieve this vision and to address the many health disparities faced by our Alaska Native (AN) people, ANTHC recognizes the need for research. Current health research activities at ANTHC build on a 65-year history of research with AN people and encompass a wide spectrum of health issues. Research has made a dramatic contribution on the lives of the AN people and ANTHC recognizes the importance of maintaining a robust research department with staff who are dedicated to research with AN people and who understand the importance of Tribally driven research. The overall goals of the proposed Alaska Native Center for Health Research (ANCHR) are to develop a cadre of investigators in Alaska engaged in research to address health disparities in the Alaska Native population; expand the capacity for health disparities research in Alaska; and encourage the recruitment of AN investigators into health disparities research careers at ANTHC and other organizations in Alaska. These goals fully align with the ANTHC vision and mission through partnerships with communities, tribal health organizations (THO), academic institutions, and others to optimize health through addressing AN health disparities. Hiring of new staff, particularly Alaska Native or American Indian (AN/AI) individuals will expand our capacity to achieve our goal. We will accomplish these goals through the following specific aims: Aim 1: Develop a cadre of ANCHR investigators based at ANTHC and other THOs and academic institutions in Alaska engaged in research to address identified AN health disparities, through ensuring robust and sustained mentorship of research project leads (RPLs), recruitment of AN individuals as Project Leads and support to RPLs in generating preliminary data and in writing research proposals to secure independent funding. Aim 2: Strengthen capacity to support the RPLs and other investigators through the Research Core in research design, epidemiology, biostatistics, data management, qualitative research methods, research staff and community engagement and ensuring there is Tribal engagement, consultation, and oversight throughout the duration of all projects. Aim 3: Establish and fund training/educational opportunities to expand the skills of RPLs and other investigators and actively recruit AN people into health research careers, including participation in the NARCH funded Alaska Indigenous Research Program and NIH grant writing training and grant mock reviews. COBRE funding for research projects and the opportunity to hire and train new investigators, will empower the ANCHR to expand our capacity to conduct research to address health disparities in the AN population.

PROJECT NARRATIVE Despite the many improvements in health and the increase in life expectancy over the last 50 years, there persist significant health disparities among Alaska Native (AN) people including the highest incidence of colon cancer reported globally; the highest incidence of gastric cancer in the U.S.; persistently high rates of tobacco use; the highest regional rates of RSV in observed in the U.S.; high rates of early childhood dental caries; rural communities without piped water and sanitation; high rates of suicide; high rates of unintentional injury; and high rates of chronic liver disease and related mortality, all of which need to be addressed. However, it is also essential to acknowledge that the Alaska Native people possess tremendous strengths; despite the negative impact of colonization, boarding schools, and other adverse social determinants of health, the sense of community, respect for elders, and the traditions and cultures of the many Alaska Native Tribes are strong. The Alaska Native Center for Health Research will address these disparities while incorporating Alaska Native peoples’ world views and focusing on resilience and positive elements across and within Alaska Native communities.