Native American Population in Oklahoma
Stephenson Cancer Center has a strong focus on addressing cancer health
disparities among the Native American population in Oklahoma, the majority
of which is American Indian. Nationwide, Oklahoma has the second largest
number of Native American residents and the second highest percentage
of Native American residents. More than 600,000 Oklahoma residents are
Native American, representing 16% of the state’s population. Oklahoma’s
38 federally recognized tribal nations cover the entire state, with particularly
large populations in the northeast–Cherokee Nation, east central–Creek
Nation, southeast–Choctaw Nation, south central–Chickasaw
Nation, and southwest–Southern Plains Nations.
Cancer Health Disparities among American Indians in Oklahoma
High cancer incidence and mortality rates affect the state’s large American Indian population:Investigators are actively collaborating with tribal health systems and communities throughout the state to address these health disparities.
American Indian Patient Navigation Program
From the beginning, Stephenson Cancer Center recognized the need for specific
expertise in coordinating care for Native American patients. This program
provides access for tribal health systems referring patients to the cancer
center as well as navigation services to patients and families. Over the
past decade, the program has served more than 3,000 American Indian cancer
patients and families from more than 50 different tribal affiliations.
Collaborations with Tribal Nations
Stephenson Cancer Center has partnered with numerous tribal entities in
a broad range of initiatives focused on decreasing the burden of cancer
among American Indians. Important partners include: the Cherokee, Choctaw,
Chickasaw, Creek, Cheyenne & Arapaho, Osage and other tribal nations;
Oklahoma City Indian Clinic (OKCIC); Indian Health Service (IHS); Southern
Plains Tribal Health Board; and the Indian Health Care Resource Center
of Tulsa. Below are select projects that have resulted from these collaborations:
Project: Cherokee Nation – SCC Collaborative on Cancer Disparities
Description (NIH Reporter):
P20CA202921
Project: Cherokee Nation Native American Research Center for Health (Cherokee NARCH 9).
Description (NIH Reporter):
S06GM123546
Project: Cherokee Nation Native American Research Centers for Health (Cherokee
NARCH 10).
Description (NIH Reporter):
S06GM127983
Project: Center on American Indian and Alaska Native Genomic Research
Description (NIH Reporter):
RM1HG009042
Project: Factors Influencing Scientific Research Careers among American Indians
Description (NIH Reporter):
R35GM127107
Project: Building Cancer Survivorship Research Capacity in Rural Oklahoma
P30CA225520-01S1 (CCSG Supplement)
Project: Colorectal Cancer Screening Implementation in Partnership with Native
American Communities
P30CA225520-01S2 (CCSG Supplement)
Project: Programs for the Training and Advancement of the Next GENeration of Native
Researchers in Genetics, Ethics and Society
Description (NIH Reporter):
R25HG010132
Precision Medicine and Cancer in American Indian and Alaska Native Communities
In November 2016, Stephenson Cancer Center hosted a national meeting, “Precision
Medicine and Cancer in American Indian and Alaska Native Communities,”
for NCI cancer center investigators and tribal community partners engaged
in American Indian cancer research. Planned in collaboration with the
NCI’s Division of Cancer Control and Population Sciences and the
Office of the NCI Director, the goal of this meeting was to begin a dialogue
to address cultural and ethical concerns and develop opportunities for
American Indian participation in Precision Medicine initiatives.
Related SCC Programs and Resources
Mark Doescher, MD, MSPH
Associate Director for Cancer Prevention and Control, Stephenson Cancer Center
Director, Community Outreach and Engagement Core
Professor, Department of Family and Preventive Medicine
University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center
mark-doescher@ouhsc.edu
Dorothy A. Rhoades, MD, MPH
Director, American Indian Cancer Research Initiatives, Stephenson Cancer Center
Co-Director, Community Outreach and Engagement Core
Clinical Associate Professor, Department of Medicine
University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center
dorothy-rhoades@ouhsc.edu
Paul Spicer, PhD
Co-Leader, Cancer Prevention and Control Program, Stephenson Cancer Center
Director, Center for Applied Social Research, OU Norman
Professor, Department of Anthropology
University of Oklahoma
paul-spicer@ou.edu
Community Outreach and Engagement Core
scc-outreach@ouhsc.edu
Core Staff
Stephanie Pharr, BS, CHES
Community Outreach Coordinator
Lindsey Diel BS, CPHQ
Community Outreach Liaison
Lauri Hunsucker, MA
Program Coordinator
Valerie Moise, MS
Community Outreach Liaison
Carla Ponce, MM
Community Outreach Liaison
Ayesha Sambo, MPH, CPH
Research Epidemiologist
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