AISES Partners in Launch of Native Health Research Conference

Post Date: June 9 2017

Contact:  Montoya Whiteman
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Tel: 720-552-6123
Cell Phone: 303-829-7501
Email:  mwhiteman@aises.org
Website: www.aises.org
Twitter: @AISES
Instagram: AISES_HQ

AISES IS ONE OF THREE NATIONAL NATIVE NONPROFITS LAUNCHING THE FIRST ANNUAL NATIONAL NATIVE HEALTH RESEARCH TRAINING CONFERENCE IN DENVER, COLORADO, SEPTEMBER 18-19, 2017

LONGMONT, CO, June 9, 2017 – The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Indian Health Service (IHS), has partnered with the American Indian Science and Engineering Society (AISES), the American Indian Higher Education Consortium (AIHEC), and the Native Research Network (NRN) in the First Annual National Native Health Research Training (NNHRT) Conference. The conference is September 18-19, 2017 in Denver, Colorado with post-conference trainings on September 20th. The training is part of the National Native Health Research Training Initiative (NNHRTI) created to expand the number of American Indian and Alaska Native (AI/AN) researchers while supporting health care, health concerns, reducing health disparities, and enhancing quality health care to American Indian and Alaska Native communities.

The 2017 NNHRT Conference theme is Healing Ourselves: Cultural and Traditional Medicine-based Approaches to Sustainable Health. It is comprised of 5 tracks focused on Injury Prevention, Native Men’s Health, Traditional Medicine, Biomedical and Clinical Systems and Research (BCSR) and Traditional Ecological Knowledge/Environmental Health (TEK/EH). Health experts, researchers, doctoral students, and practitioners from across North America are expected to attend. For more information about the NNHRT conference, visit www.NNHRTI.org.

The aim of the conference will focus on three NNHRTI objectives:

  • Increase opportunities for AI/AN scientists and health professionals offering development and training to AI/AN scientists, students, and other health professionals and to provide a means for the dissemination of biomedical, clinical, behavioral and health science research that is responsive to the needs of the AI/AN community.
  • Enhance Tribal-academic collaborations and improve the ability of Tribes to utilize research findings by utilizing all cultural and scientific knowledge, strengths, and competencies, such as partnerships for a better understanding of the biological, genetic, behavioral, psychological, cultural, social, and economic aspects of research.
  • Reduce health disparities by enhancing protective factors/effects of Traditional Indian Medicine, Indigenous Knowledge, and Traditional Ecological Knowledge to reduce risk factors to improve health outcomes among AI/AN.

Launched in 2016, The National Native Health Research Training Initiative was created for American Indian and Alaska Native tribes or tribal organizations to build the capacity, share best practices, and enhance responses to specific tribal community needs through health research.

Project partner, AIHEC, is a network of tribal colleges that was founded in 1973 to influence federal policies on American Indian higher education. In 44 years, AIHEC has supported the growth and development of 37 Tribal Colleges and Universities (TCU) in the United States. Visit www.aihec.org to learn more about the TCU network and activities.

Located in Utah, the mission of the Native Research Network, Inc. is promoting integrity and excellence in research. A membership organization, the NRN was formed in 1997 by Native researchers to address health and research issues affecting Native communities. The NRN operates on federal, foundation, and individual donations. NRN is a valuable contributor to the NNHRT Initiative because of their cultural-based approaches when engaging with indigenous peoples and communities. They understand the culture, health needs, issues, factors, and struggles of AI/AN tribes. www.nativeresearchnetwork.org.

Immediately following the NNHRT Conference is the AISES 2017 Annual National Conference on September 21-23, 2017 at the Colorado Convention Center. Group rates are available at the Holiday Inn Express Denver Downtown along with discounted rates for professional and students who register for both conferences. These conferences offer exceptional environments for learning, sharing, and networking.

About the American Indian Science and Engineering Society

Founded in 1977, with a rapidly expanding membership of more than 4,000 individual members, AISES sustains 190 chartered college and university chapters, 15 professional chapters, and 158 affiliated K-12 schools supporting over 55,000 students. AISES has awarded over $10.5 million in academic scholarships to over 5,000 American Indian STEM students. Through scholarships and internships, workforce development and career resources, national and regional conferences, science fairs, leadership development and other STEM focused programming, AISES is the leader in STEM opportunities for indigenous people of North America.

If you would like more information, visit the NNHRTI website at www.NNHRTI.org. For specific questions, contact Dr. Kathy DeerInWater at 720-552-6123 or email kdeerinwater@aises.org.

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