Monday, April 29, 2024
4/29/2024
The Osage Partnerships for Prevention (OPP) is a joint substance abuse prevention initiative between the applicant, the Association of American Indian Physicians (AAIP), and the Osage Nation our Tribal Partner. We propose to connect the long standing expertise of the AAIP and the resiliency of the Osage Nation to reduce underage drinking and non medical use of prescription drugs among 1,500 to 2,000 Native youth in the Osage Tribal Jurisdiction. In the last year, two of the most prestigious western medical journals, the Journal of the American Medical Association and the Lancet have given scientific validation to a fact we in Indian Country already know, that American Indian youth and young adults (18-35 years old) are dying prematurely at rates not matched by any other race or ethnic group. The reasons; chronic liver disease, suicide and drug overdose all caused or exacerbated by substance abuse. The goals of OPP are to reduce Native behavioral health substance abuse disparities by 1) reducing underage drinking and non-medical use of prescription drugs among Native youth, 2) supporting Native youth who show an interest in medical or biomedical careers, and 3) completing a rigorous evaluation of our program model of doctors and Native Tribes working together. At this time there is no information about Native youth substance use patterns in Osage County, and with the help of the Pacific Institute of Research and Evaluation, our project evaluators, we will conduct annual surveys of Native youth. PIRE shall also prepare yearly evaluation summaries and conduct face to face interviews each year. We will hold weekly Native Culture Classes at Osage Nation facilities, with Native instructors, and utilize those opportunities to provide prevention and wellness messages to small groups. AAIP will visit High Schools and Middle Schools and give presentations to Native youth about pursuing careers in the bio medical fields and project staff and AAIP physicians will participate in Osage cultural events and ceremonies. The AAIP will meet and train local physicians of all races and collaborate with the Indian Health Service to reduce underage drinking, overdose death, and the use of the state Prescription Monitoring Program to identify areas of high need for prescription drug abuse. We will convene an active Osage Nation Tribal Epidemiological Outcomes Workgroup tasked with reducing Native behavioral health disparities. OPP will serve a minimum of 300 Native youth per year and approximately 1,500 Native youth will be served during the entire project.
HHS’ Tracking Accountability in Government Grants System (TAGGS) website provides access to detailed descriptions of grants, loans, aggregated direct payments and other types of financial assistance awarded by the HHS Operating Divisions (OPDIVs) and the Office of the Secretary Staff Divisions (STAFFDIVs).
