Perceptions of cognitive decline among American Indian and Alaska Native elders.

INTRODUCTION: American Indian and Alaska Native elders aged ≥ 65 years are experiencing increased life expectancy. Elders are critical to intergenerational knowledge, yet limited data exist on the health challenges faced by this group. METHODS: This study engaged individuals attending the National Indian Council on Aging 2021 Annual Meeting in Reno, Nevada. A 19-question survey, designed to examine perceptions about cognitive decline and to identify comfort with potential risk and protective factors, was disseminated to 50 participants. RESULTS: Participants indicated that they are concerned about cognitive decline, are willing to plan for their future care and cognitive testing, and articulated a desire for Tribally led long-term support services. DISCUSSION: This study found similar results to studies on White individuals, which include a lack of knowledge, stigma around the aging process, and gaps in services available. More work is necessary to address the gap in literature and policy. Highlights: American Indian and Alaska Natives (AI/ANs) are underrepresented in literature on Alzheimer's disease and related dementia (ADRD).AI/ANs believe that they will experience cognitive decline as they age.AI/ANs indicate a willingness to plan for future care and participate in future research on ADRD.

Access to Lung Cancer Screening Among American Indian and Alaska Native Adults: A Qualitative Study.

BACKGROUND: Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer mortality among American Indian and Alaska Native populations. American Indian and Alaska Native people use commercial tobacco products at higher rates compared with all other races and ethnicities. Moreover, they show lower adherence to cancer screening guidelines. RESEARCH QUESTION: How do American Indian and Alaska Native adults perceive and use lung cancer screening? STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS: We conducted a study in which we recorded and transcribed data from three focus groups consisting of American Indian and Alaska Native adults. Participants were recruited through convenience sampling at a national health conference. Transcripts were analyzed by inductive coding. RESULTS: Participants (n = 58) of 28 tribes included tribal Elders, tribal leaders, and non-Native volunteers who worked with tribal communities. Limited community awareness of lung cancer screening, barriers to lung cancer screening at health care facilities, and health information-seeking behaviors emerged as key themes in discussions. Screening knowledge was limited except among people with direct experiences of lung cancer. Cancer risk factors such as multigenerational smoking were considered important priorities to address in communities. Limited educational and diagnostic resources are significant barriers to lung cancer screening uptake in addition to limited discussions with health care providers about cancer risk. INTERPRETATION: Limited access to and awareness of lung cancer screening must be addressed. American Indian and Alaska Native adults use several health information sources unique to tribal communities, and these should be leveraged in designing screening programs. Equitable partnerships between clinicians and tribes are essential in improving knowledge and use of lung cancer screening.

Disparities in Access to Radiation Therapy by Race and Ethnicity in the United States With Focus on American Indian/Alaska Native People.

OBJECTIVES: Striking disparities in access to radiation therapy (RT) exist, especially among racial and ethnic-minority patients. We analyzed census block group data to evaluate differences in travel distance to RT as a function of race and ethnicity, socioeconomic status, and rurality. METHODS: The Directory of Radiotherapy Centers provided the addresses of facilities containing linear accelerators for RT. We classified block groups as majority (≥ 50%) American Indian/Alaska Native (AI/AN), black, white, Asian, no single racial majority, or Hispanic regardless of race. We used the Area Deprivation Index to classify deprivation and Rural-Urban Commuting Area codes to classify rurality. Generalized linear mixed models tested associations between these factors and distance to nearest RT facility. RESULTS: Median distance to nearest RT facility was 72 miles in AI/AN-majority block groups, but 4 to 7 miles in block groups with non-AI/AN majorities. Multivariable models estimated that travel distances in AI/AN-majority block groups were 39 to 41 miles longer than in areas with non-AI/AN majorities. Travel distance was 1.3 miles longer in the more deprived areas versus less deprived areas and 16 to 32 miles longer in micropolitan, small town, and rural areas versus metropolitan areas. CONCLUSIONS: Cancer patients in block groups with AI/AN-majority populations, nonmetropolitan location, and low socioeconomic status experience substantial travel disparities in access to RT. Future research with more granular community- and individual-level data should explore the many other known barriers to access to cancer care and their relationship to the barriers posed by distance to RT care.