Priority Populations/New Users Isaiah Brokenleg M.P.H. Behavioral Health Epidemiologist
Dec 16, 2015
Prerequisites
• Acknowledge and pay respect to the Indigenous people whose land we use
• Indians are not all alike• Unique and different from other
Communities of Color• But similar due to shared experiences• Not “new users,” but “new abusers”
Traditional Tobacco (Nicotiana rustica)
• Given as gift to the people (various stories)
• Not to be bought or sold• By itself (asema) or Mixed (kinnickinick)
Commercial Tobacco (Nicotiana tobaccum)
• Not traditional to this area, imported• Addictive• Harmful when abused• Used as substitute• Hiding in plain sight
American Indian Tobacco Epidemiology
• According to BRFSS about 35.5% of American Indians (AI) in MN, WI & MI Smoke (n=126)
• The American Indian Community Tobacco Project found that 62% of AI adults in urban MN were smokers and only 12% had never smoked (n=300)
• 4 of the 5 leading causes of AI death in MN, WI, & MI are tobacco related
Relationships with Research
• Past harms have created mistrust of research
• Standard research methods do not work in “Indian Country”– Selection bias– Not differentiating between spiritual and
abusive tobacco use
• Research conducted does not benefit the Indian community
What is the WNYTS?
• Culturally competent• Self-administered• School based • Tobacco survey
– Traditional/ceremonial use– Tobacco abuse– Thoughts/beliefs about tobacco– Environmental Tobacco Smoke exposure
Challenges
• Racial conflicts– Within/between communities– Off reservation schools– Perceptions of Indian capabilities
• Scheduling with schools and staff• Communication• $$ Thanks WI TPCP!!! (hugs and
kisses)
Successes
• First ever comprehensive statewide Native youth tobacco survey
• Used census method• Went about it in a “good way”• Large # of participants (N > 1800)• Built stronger relationships with
tribes, schools, and state• Demonstrated abilities of Indian work
Tobacco use = tobacco abuse?• Ceremonial users (at 1st glance) 40-
70% more likely to have abused or be current tobacco abusers
• Type of tobacco used in ceremony makes all the difference– Cigarettes for ceremony = 2 to 4 times
more likely to have abused or be current tobacco abusers
– Loose tobacco or traditional tobacco = 50-75% less likely to have abused or be be current tobacco abusers