american indian health roundtable

DecemberDecember 8, 2004

Department of Health and Mental HygieneDepartment of Health and Mental Hygiene

Office of Minority Health and Health DisparitiesOffice of Minority Health and Health Disparities

Maryland

Robert L. Ehrlich, Jr., Governor

Michael S. Steele, Lt. Governor

S. Anthony McCann, Secretary

American Indian American Indian Health RoundtableHealth Roundtable

Produced by: Diane D. Walker


Roundtable Purpose:Roundtable Purpose:

To discuss challenges and To discuss challenges and consider ideas and consider ideas and solutions related to health solutions related to health disparities in the American disparities in the American Indian/Native American Indian/Native American community of Marylandcommunity of Maryland


American Indian Health American Indian Health RoundtableRoundtable

Secretary S. Anthony McCann

Secretary McCann greeted participants and encouraged them to continue to dialogue and to hold MHHD accountable to the mission of eliminating health disparities.

Department of Health and Mental Hygiene



Dr. Carlessia Hussein, Director

Dr. Hussein reviewed the MHHD mission and brochure, and invited the roundtable participants to join the Maryland State Plan for Eliminating Minority Health Disparities Committees.

Minority Health and Health Disparities


J. Nightwolf

Mr. Nightwolf discussed:

•Government funding allocation by population percentages

•Piscataway population meeting the criteria for federal recognition


New Life Wellness Center


Ron LessardRon Lessard

Mr. Lessard expressed:

•It is not characteristic for American Indians to seek help outside of their community

•Traditional practices are holistic, addressing the body, mind and spirit

•More than 70% of native people live in urban areas and there is not a lot of funding allocated for these areas


Baltimore American Indian CenterBaltimore American Indian Center


Dr. Sonia Fierro-LuperiniDr. Sonia Fierro-Luperini

Dr. Fierro-Luperini emphasized that health professionals need to be culturally sensitive and that health care provision needs to be culturally appropriate (e.g., American Indians/Native Americans may not speak or read English.)


Morgan State UniversityMorgan State University


Leo Nolan, III, M.Ed.

Mr. Nolan presented the mission, goals and foundation of the Indian Health Service – to promote physical, mental, social and spiritual health of American Indians.


Indian Health Service



.

Roundtable audience taking note of information presented by the speakers


Marsha Bienia and Naomi HalversonMarsha Bienia and Naomi Halverson


Dave WolfeDave WolfeMinority Health and Health DisparitiesMinority Health and Health Disparities

Cancer Prevention, Education, Screening & TreatmentCancer Prevention, Education, Screening & Treatment



Local Health Officers that joined the roundtable discussion included Roger Harrell, Dorchester County, Dr. Barbara Brookmyer and Murray Berkowitz, Frederick County, and Fred. J. Corder, Prince George’s County


Dr. Craig Vanderwagen, Indian Dr. Craig Vanderwagen, Indian Health Service, discussing the Health Service, discussing the mission and goals.mission and goals.



Rene ProctorRene Proctor

Mr. Proctor said provider networking is key to effectively addressing health disparities.


Maryland Commission on Indian AffairsMaryland Commission on Indian Affairs



Dr. Allison HendersonDr. Allison Henderson

Dr. Henderson gave an overview of the mission, goals and grassroots service delivery of the Center. The lack of health insurance and fear of health professionals are key factors that lead to health disparities in the American Indian Community.

New Life Wellness CenterNew Life Wellness Center



Susan Roth

Ms. Roth presented an overview of the mission goals and services of LifeLines. Ms. Roth emphasized the impact of substance abuse and addiction among Native American youth of Baltimore City, and of LifeLines’ efforts to address this problem.

LifeLines Foundation, Inc.



Kerry Oberdalhoff

Ms. Oberdalhoff presented Chase Brexton’s holistic model for meeting the health and preventive education needs of American Indians who may have HIV/AIDS or may be at risk of acquiring the disease.

Chase Brexton Clinic



Mr. Newman presented concerns about access to health care for Native Americans and emphasized the lack of health resources in Southern Maryland.

Rico NewmanPiscataway Conoy Community



Angela Hoban

Ms. Hoban, a MOTA Grantee, asked the panelists for information on available services to American Indians in Anne Arundel County. Ms. Hoban indicated it has been very difficult to identify the American Indian population within her county.

R.E.S.P.E.C.T Foundation, Inc.



Dr. Anne Ekiti, MHHD, visiting the American Indian Exhibit, provided by Minority Outreach and Technical Assistance (MOTA)



Ideas and Strategies resulting from the Roundtable

A. Institute tools that promote and support networking among health care and service providers targeting American Indians.

B. Develop, publish and disseminate a resource guide listing services available to American Indians.

C. Consider more effective methodologies for capturing and disseminating census data for American Indians, i.e., more events such as Pow Wows targeting the populations.

D. Consider the development of medical models that incorporate the cultural and behavioral nuances of the American Indian.

E. Determine collaborative strategies to acquire funding for grassroots initiatives that address health disparities and promote health care within the American Indian community.

american indian health roundtable

Documents

department of health

health disparitiesproduced

health professionals

health care provision

roundtable participants

roundtable discussion

roundtable audience

mhhd mission