Abstract
Cancer is now the second leading cause of death among American Indians and Alaska Natives (AIAN), and trends in cancer-related mortality over the past 2 decades show inferior control in AIAN compared to non-Hispanic Whites. The American Indian/Alaska Native Cancer Information Resource Center and Learning Exchange (Native C.I.R.C.L.E.) was developed in the year 2000 as part of a comprehensive network of partnerships to develop, maintain, and disseminate culturally appropriate cancer and other health information materials for AIAN educators and providers. Now, in its 15th year of existence, enough data has been accumulated by Native C.I.R.C.L.E. to analyze trends in the distribution of culturally relevant cancer information materials and compare access to both printed (hard copy) and online materials. The amount of culturally appropriate materials available since its creation has increased more than 10-fold. Print materials are now distributed throughout the world, and the number of materials requested from print and downloads combined are in the thousands on a monthly basis. Native C.I.R.C.L.E. is in the process of expanding its access and capabilities to target more of the lay AIAN public in order to address the digital divide.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
National Center for Health Statistics (2014) Health, United States, 2013: with special feature on prescription drugs. http://www.cdc.gov/nchs/data/hus/hus13.pdf. Accessed 29 September 2014
White MC, Espey DK, Swan J, Wiggins CL, Eheman C, Kaur JS (2014) Disparities in cancer mortality and incidence among American Indians and Alaska natives in the United States. Am J Public Health 104:S377–S387
Kaur JS, Dignan M, Burhansstipanov L, Baukol P, Claus C (2006) The “Spirit of Eagles” legacy. Cancer Suppl 107(8):1987–1994
von Friederichs-Fitzwater MM, Navarro L, Taylor SL (2010) A value-based approach to increase breast cancer screening and health-directed behaviors among American Indian women. J Cancer Educ 25(4):582–587
Petereit DG, Rogers D, Govern F, Coleman N, Osburn CH, Howard SP, Kaur J, Linda B, Jack Fowler C, Chappell R, Mehta MP (2004) Increasing access to clinical cancer trials and emerging technologies for minority populations: the Native American Project. J Clin Oncol 22(22):4452–4455
LaVallie DL, Wolf FM, Jacobsen C, Buchwald D (2008) Barriers to cancer clinical trial participation among Native elders. Ethn Dis 18(2):210–7
Choi NG, DiNitto DM (2013) The digital divide among low-income homebound older adults: internet use patterns, eHealth literacy, and attitudes toward computer/Internet use. J Med Int Res 15(5), e93
Hall AK, Bernhardt JM, Dodd V, Vollrath MW (2014) The digital health: evaluating online health information access and use among older adults. Health Education and Behaviors, Divide. doi:10.1177/1090198114547815
Federal Communications Commission (2011) FCC 11–30. In the matter of improving communications services for Native Nations. CG docket number 11–41. By the Commission: Chairman Genachowski and Commissioners Copps, McDowell, Clyburn, and Baker issuing separate statements. http://www.fcc.gov/document/improving-communications-services-native-nations. Accessed 29 September 2014
National Congress of American Indians (2009) The National Congress of American Indians Resolution #PSP-09-084c: National Broadband Plan Priorities and Universal Service Fund Tribal Broadband Program Needs. http://www.ncai.org/attachments/Resolution_SUcpaUSahSRjZjnkhgidDkraKyLfCqHfdeaDHiJpyMwdDGMQbKE_PSP-09-084c_final.pdf Accessed 29 September 2014
Geana MV, Daley CM, Nazir N, Cully L, Etheridge J, Bledowski C, Choi WS, Allen Greiner K (2012) Use of online health information resources by American Indian and Alaska Natives. J Health Commun 17(7):820–835
Acknowledgments
We thank Ms. Vicki Shea and Ms. Alison Dowdell for manuscript preparation.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Corresponding author
Ethics declarations
Conflict of Interest
The authors declare that they have no competing interest.
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Garcia, A., Baethke, L. & Kaur, J.S. Lessons Learned from Native C.I.R.C.L.E., a Culturally Specific Resource. J Canc Educ 32, 740–744 (2017). https://doi.org/10.1007/s13187-016-1001-x
Published:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s13187-016-1001-x