LAS VEGAS - June 16, 2008 - American Indians comprise less than one percent of college graduates each year, and less than one half percent of all advanced degree recipients. Of those graduates, an even smaller number enter health care professions - a critical area of need in American Indian communities nationwide.
To address this issue, UNLV's American Indian Research and Education Center (AIREC) developed the nation's first Public Health Summer Institute for tribal college students. The two-week pilot program, offered to 10 students and three mentors from four tribal colleges, is the first step in a potential collaboration with tribal colleges nationwide to increase the number of American Indian students both graduating with advanced degrees and entering public health professions.
"We hope to engage students with learning opportunities that provide direction toward careers in public health and enhance academic skills that will translate to their Tribal communities," said Dr. Carolee Dodge-Francis, UNLV AIREC director and coordinator of the program. "Accurate native health data is very limited in scope and, by broadening the understanding and applicability of Western and Native models of science in tribal communities; we will encourage and cultivate students to become advocates for change and leaders in American Indian health research."
The Summer Institute ran from June 2 - 13 and was taught by UNLV School of Public Health Professor Dr. Michelle Chino and other American Indian researchers, educators and professionals. In addition to providing an introduction to public health coursework, the curriculum prepared students for what they'll potentially see in bachelor and master's degree programs. Students learned the basics of epidemiology - surveillance, assessment and data collection - and discussed potential community research projects such as the relationship between commodity food use and nutrition, obesity rates and childhood lead exposure.
Tribal colleges were created in response to the higher education needs of American Indians and generally serve geographically isolated populations that have no other means accessing education beyond the high school level. The first tribal-controlled community college, Dine College, was founded in 1968 in Northeast Arizona. There are currently 37 accredited tribal colleges and universities in 14 U.S. states and Canada.
Most tribal colleges and universities offer important educational opportunities for American Indians - especially those living on reservations - but most offer two-year degrees and are seen as a stepping stone process for students to enter healthcare and other competitive professions. By providing continuity between the Tribal college community and the university, the program will begin to bridge Native and Western scientific teachings in a way that allows students to learn and succeed within the context of two cultures.
Dr. Dodge Francis hopes to expand the program to become an annual institute at UNLV. Participants in the pilot program include students and mentors from Bay Mills Community College (MI), Fond du Lac Tribal and Community College (MN), Stone Child College (MT) and Fort Peck Community College (MT).
The AIREC is coordinated through the UNLV School of Public Health. Funding for the Public Health Summer Institute was made possible by the School of Public health and a grant to the school's Department of Environmental and Occupational Health.
