The Problem Tobacco use and gambling addiction disproportionately impact American Indian communities. These issues contribute to significant health disparities, including chronic disease and economic hardship. Culturally grounded research that addresses both behaviors simultaneously is lacking. Existing research often fails to respect the traditions, sovereignty and lived experiences of tribal nations. The Approach To address this gap, Dr. Joseph Pacheco and his co-investigators from both Lehigh University and the University of Kansas Medical Center will: Organize a Community Advisory Board (CAB) to guide research design and dissemination. Utilize a community-engaged approach to ensure tribal voices are centered throughout all phases of the project. Recruit 150 participants to complete culturally sensitive surveys on tobacco and gambling behaviors. Conduct interviews with Native communities to gain a better understanding of how cultural practices could facilitate addiction support. Integrating Indigenous Traditions in Addiction Prevention and Recovery within Native Communities “At the heart of our research is our commitment to community—honoring Indigenous knowledge and working together to create healthy generations.” Joseph A. Pacheco, PhD, MPH Short Term Impact Generate culturally informed insights into the co-occurrence of smoking and gambling addictions. Develop educational materials tailored to Native audiences. Longer Term Impact Inform national and tribal health promotion strategies by understanding the role of traditional knowledge in supporting recovery. Contribute to the development of sustainable interventions, led by tribal communities. Societal Impact Funding for this research supports the development of culturally grounded strategies that empower Native communities affected by tobacco and gambling addiction, which draw on traditional knowledge. This study has societal benefits in the following areas: For more information visit https://health.lehigh.edu/research-partners or email INRSRCH@lehigh.edu 28 Economy: Addressing the financial strain caused by addiction through prevention and recovery resources designed for and by Native communities. Policy: Providing tribal entities with data to develop culturally responsive policies regarding addiction. Education: Developing tools and resources to address co-occurring addictions.
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