Intervention Research to Improve Native American Health (R34 Clinical Trial Optional)

The purpose of this funding opportunity announcement is to provide support for research on interventions to improve the health of Native American populations. This includes research that fills gaps in knowledge and directly informs the development or adaptation of interventions, as well as research that develops, adapts, or tests the efficacy of health promotion and disease prevention interventions. Additionally, the announcement seeks research on culturally informed treatment or recovery interventions, as well as research on dissemination and implementation strategies to overcome barriers to the adoption and sustainability of effective interventions.

Existing data shows that there are significant health disparities for Native American populations, both in terms of acute and chronic diseases. These populations also face unique sociopolitical, historical, and environmental stressors and risks that can worsen health conditions or affect the effectiveness of existing solutions. However, Native American populations also possess unique strengths and resiliencies that can help mitigate these stressors and inform intervention strategies.

Through this initiative, the aim is to build upon community knowledge, resources, and resilience to test science-based, culturally appropriate solutions that reduce morbidity and mortality by addressing precursor diseases and disorders. Interventions should be designed with sustainability in mind within the communities where they are tested, and they should have the flexibility to be easily adapted, disseminated, and scaled up to other communities in a culturally appropriate manner.

For the purposes of this funding opportunity announcement, Native Americans include Alaska Natives and American Indians, whose ancestral lands fall at least partially within the United States.