Skip to main page content
U.S. flag

An official website of the United States government

Dot gov

The .gov means it’s official.
Federal government websites often end in .gov or .mil. Before sharing sensitive information, make sure you’re on a federal government site.

Https

The site is secure.
The https:// ensures that you are connecting to the official website and that any information you provide is encrypted and transmitted securely.

Access keys NCBI Homepage MyNCBI Homepage Main Content Main Navigation
. 2004 Nov;16(5 Suppl):58S-77S.
doi: 10.1177/0898264304268149.

Access, relevance, and control in the research process: lessons from Indian country

Spero M Manson  1 , Eva Garroutte, R Turner Goins, Patricia Nez Henderson
Affiliations

Access, relevance, and control in the research process: lessons from Indian country

Spero M Manson et al. J Aging Health. 2004 Nov.

Abstract

Objective: To illustrate successful strategies in working with American Indian (AI) and Alaska Native (AN) communities in aging and health research by emphasizing access, local relevance, and decision-making processes.

Methods: Case examples of health studies involving older AIs (greater than or equal to 50 years) among Eastern Band Cherokee Indians, a federally recognized reservation; the Cherokee Nation, a rural, nonreservation, tribal jurisdictional service area; and Lakota tribal members living in Rapid City, South Dakota.

Results: Local review and decision making reflect the unique legal and historical factors underpinning AI sovereignty. Although specific approval procedures vary, there are common expectations across these communities that can be anticipated in conceptualizing, designing, and implementing health research among native elders.

Conclusions: Most investigators are unprepared to address the demands of health research in AI communities. Community-based participatory research in this setting conflicts with investigators' desire for academic freedom and scientific independence. Successful collaboration promises to enhance research efficiencies and move findings more quickly to clinical practice.

PubMed Disclaimer

References

    1. American Indian Law Center. The model tribal research code. Albuquerque, NM: Author; 1994a.
    1. American Indian Law Center. The role of tribal government in regulating research. Albuquerque, NM: Author; 1994b.
    1. Byers T, Hubbard J. The Navajo Health and Nutrition Survey: Research that can make a difference. Journal of Nutrition. 1997;127(10):2075S–2077S. - PubMed
    1. Chapleski EE. Long-term care among American Indians. In: Markides KS, Miranda MR, editors. Minorities, aging, and health. Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage; 1997. pp. 367–394.
    1. Deloria V., Jr . Custer died for your sins An Indian manifesto. New York: Avon; 1969.

Publication types

LinkOut - more resources