In May 2007, ten American Indian/Alaska Native (AI/AN) teams gathered in Portland, Oregon, for the Dialogue for Action AI/AN Working Meeting on colorectal cancer (CRC). The two-day meeting provided a forum for the teams to come together to discuss how to decrease CRC in their communities by increasing CRC awareness, education and screening. At the conclusion of the two-day meeting, each of the teams had begun crafting an action plan to implement in their communities. Since that time, they have made measurable progress in the face of varied and unique challenges.
Donna Keeler, Executive Director and Val Jones, CNP, Aberdeen Clinic Manager represented South Dakota Urban Indian Health on the Urban Indian Health workgroup.
URBAN INDIAN CARES
The Urban Indian Colon and Rectal Education and Screening (CARES) team has had much success in working toward the objectives they identified in Portland. Their major objective, to launch a health promotion campaign, is well underway. In order to inform the development of materials for the campaign, the team has held two focus groups. Additionally, the team surveyed approximately 600 people at clinics, health fairs, and pow wows and is currently analyzing data from the surveys and focus groups. They have developed a logo for their campaign, and have also drafted information for educational packets. In the coming months, the team will be collecting CRC stories, photos, videos and quotes.
In addition to making progress on its action plan, the Urban Indian CARES team has come up with a unique way to ensure that members are able to communicate effectively and share project materials—a Sharepoint website (http://www.uihi.net/ColorectalCancer/default.aspx). Thanks to the Urban Indian CARES team for the development of a much needed health promotion campaign, as well as for its innovative methods of maintaining communication among team members.
