Project Summary/Abstract: The overall goal of the ANTHC NARCH XII program is to build on previous work by ANTHC NARCH and other programs, existing strengths and partnerships, and identified needs to continue to increase the capacity of Alaska Native people and tribal health organizations to conduct tribally-driven research in pursuit of ANTHC’s vision that Alaska Native people are the healthiest people in the world. The specific aims for the overall NARCH are to: 1) increase the capacity of Alaska Native people and tribal health organizations to design and conduct health research while including indigenous ways of knowing; 2) conduct tribally-driven health research focused on improving the health of Alaska Native people and reducing health disparities; and 3) expand on existing ANTHC partnerships. The ANTHC NARCH XII program consists of multiple components. These include an Administrative Core (designed to ensure the success of the overall NARCH and meet the needs of ANTHC), a Capacity Building Project (the Alaska Indigenous Research Program), and one research project. The research project focuses on an area where health disparities exist for Alaska Native populations and relates to environmental factors influencing health. Specifically, this includes a focus on evaluating whether novel, targeted water, sanitation, and hygiene interventions reduce water-wash disease disparities and improve health. The overall ANTHC NARCH XII program will continue to increase research capacity in Alaska and address health disparities, ultimately leading to improved health of the Alaska Native population.

Project Narrative The proposed NARCH XII program at the Alaska Native Tribal Health Consortium (ANTHC) is designed to further ANTHC’s work to reduce health disparities in the Alaska Native population and to improve the capacity of ANTHC and our partners to conduct tribally-driven health research. The center includes an Administrative Core, a capacity building project and a research project, all designed in partnership with communities and tribal organizations to address needs identified in the Alaska Native population. In the long-term, the program is expected to have a lasting impact and improve ANTHC’s ability to fulfill its vision that “Alaska Native people are the healthiest people in the world.”