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Lee NR, King A, Vigil D, Mullaney D, Sanderson PR, Ametepee T, Hammitt LL. Infectious diseases in Indigenous populations in North America: learning from the past to create a more equitable future. THE LANCET. INFECTIOUS DISEASES 2023; 23:e431-e444. [PMID: 37148904 PMCID: PMC10156139 DOI: 10.1016/s1473-3099(23)00190-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/03/2023] [Revised: 03/08/2023] [Accepted: 03/09/2023] [Indexed: 05/08/2023]
Abstract
The COVID-19 pandemic, although a profound reminder of endured injustices by and the disparate impact of infectious diseases on Indigenous populations, has also served as an example of Indigenous strength and the ability to thrive anew. Many infectious diseases share common risk factors that are directly tied to the ongoing effects of colonisation. We provide historical context and case studies that illustrate both challenges and successes related to infectious disease mitigation in Indigenous populations in the USA and Canada. Infectious disease disparities, driven by persistent inequities in socioeconomic determinants of health, underscore the urgent need for action. We call on governments, public health leaders, industry representatives, and researchers to reject harmful research practices and to adopt a framework for achieving sustainable improvements in the health of Indigenous people that is both adequately resourced and grounded in respect for tribal sovereignty and Indigenous knowledge.
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Affiliation(s)
- Naomi R Lee
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Northern Arizona University, Flagstaff, AZ, USA
| | - Alexandra King
- College of Medicine, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, SK, Canada
| | - Deionna Vigil
- Department of International Health, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Dustin Mullaney
- Department of Biology, Northern Arizona University, Flagstaff, AZ, USA
| | - Priscilla R Sanderson
- Department of Health Sciences, College of Health and Human Services, Northern Arizona University, Flagstaff, AZ, USA
| | - Taiwo Ametepee
- College of Medicine, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, SK, Canada
| | - Laura L Hammitt
- Department of International Health, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, MD, USA.
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Cordova-Marks FM, Carson WO, Monetathchi A, Little A, Erdrich J. Native and Indigenous Populations and Gastric Cancer: A Worldwide Review. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2022; 19:5437. [PMID: 35564831 PMCID: PMC9100179 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph19095437] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/11/2022] [Accepted: 04/27/2022] [Indexed: 02/01/2023]
Abstract
Gastric cancer is a worldwide concern, particularly for Indigenous populations who face greater disparities in healthcare. With decreased access to screening and critical treatment delays, this group is experiencing adverse health effects. To determine what factors drive these disparities, a systematic review was performed in PubMed. This revealed a lack of research on gastric cancer specific to this population. The literature primarily focused on subset analyses and biological aspects with sparse focus on determinants of health. The results informed this presentation on factors related to Indigenous gastric cancer, which are influenced by colonialism. Indigenous populations encounter high rates of food shortage, exposure to harmful environmental agents, structural racism in the built environment, H. pylori, and compromised healthcare quality as an effect of colonialism, which all contribute to the gastric cancer burden. Putting gastric cancer into a cultural context is a potential means to respond to colonial perspectives and their negative impact on Indigenous patients. The objective of this manuscript is to examine the current state of gastric cancer literature from a global perspective, describe what is currently known based on this literature review, supplemented with additional resources due to lack of published works in PubMed, and to present a model of gastric cancer through the lens of a modified medicine wheel as a potential tool to counter colonial healthcare perspectives and to honor Indigenous culture.
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Affiliation(s)
- Felina M. Cordova-Marks
- Department of Health Promotion Sciences, Zuckerman College of Public Health, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ 85724, USA;
| | - William O. Carson
- Department of Health Promotion Sciences, Zuckerman College of Public Health, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ 85724, USA;
| | - Angela Monetathchi
- Cellular Molecular Medicine, College of Medicine, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ 85724, USA;
| | | | - Jennifer Erdrich
- Department of Surgery, College of Medicine, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ 85724, USA;
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Wang YX, Zou JY, Hu LF, Liu Q, Huang RL, Tang T, Yue QQ, Sun YX, Xiao Q, Zeng X, Zeng Y. What is the general Chinese public's awareness of and attitudes towards Helicobacter pylori screening and associated health behaviours? A cross-sectional study. BMJ Open 2022; 12:e057929. [PMID: 35078854 PMCID: PMC8796245 DOI: 10.1136/bmjopen-2021-057929] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To evaluate the general population's awareness of and attitudes toward Helicobacter pylori (HP) screening and health behaviours. DESIGN Cross-sectional study. SETTING Hengyang, Hunan Province, China. PARTICIPANTS Using stratified cluster random sampling, a pretested structured questionnaire was used to interview members of the general population aged ≥18 years. PRIMARY AND SECONDARY OUTCOME MEASURES Knowledge of and attitudes toward HP screening and associated health behaviours, sociodemographic factors associated with HP knowledge, and screening behaviours. RESULTS This study featured 1042 participants. The average knowledge score was 11 (QL=4, QU=20, range 0-29). Approximately 68.9% of the participants said they had heard of HP, but 67.5% had never had an HP test. The most common reasons for not undergoing screening were 'no symptoms' (55.7%) and 'lack of knowledge regarding the benefits of the test' (21.1%). Independent factors related to knowledge included age, education level, occupation, HP infection, frequency of drinking unboiled water (p<0.05). Factors independently associated with screening behaviour included occupation, average monthly income, presence/absence of indigestion, stomach discomfort or pain, and/or stomach disease and knowledge score (p<0.05). Overall, 941 (90.3%) participants never used anti-HP toothpaste, and 442 (40.5%) never used serving spoons or chopsticks. The risk factors for HP infection included eating out and eating in groups (p<0.05). CONCLUSION In China, the general population has poor knowledge of HP, but most people have a positive attitude towards HP screening. Being asymptomatic and lacking knowledge about testing were the main reasons for reluctance to be screened. These results highlight the urgent need for educational activities to raise awareness, enhance screening rates for HP, and encourage people to adopt a healthy lifestyle.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ying-Xin Wang
- Hengyang Medical School, School of Nursing, University of South China, Hengyang, Hunan, China
| | - Jin-Yu Zou
- Hengyang Medical School, School of Nursing, University of South China, Hengyang, Hunan, China
| | - Li-Feng Hu
- Hengyang Medical School, School of Nursing, University of South China, Hengyang, Hunan, China
| | - Qi Liu
- Hengyang Medical School, School of Nursing, University of South China, Hengyang, Hunan, China
- School of Nursing, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hong Kong, Hong Kong
| | - Ruo-Lin Huang
- Hengyang Medical School, School of Nursing, University of South China, Hengyang, Hunan, China
| | - Tian Tang
- Hengyang Medical School, School of Nursing, University of South China, Hengyang, Hunan, China
| | - Qian-Qian Yue
- Hengyang Medical School, School of Nursing, University of South China, Hengyang, Hunan, China
| | - Ying-Xue Sun
- Hengyang Medical School, School of Nursing, University of South China, Hengyang, Hunan, China
| | - Qiao Xiao
- Hengyang Medical School, School of Nursing, University of South China, Hengyang, Hunan, China
| | - Xi Zeng
- Hengyang Medical School, Hunan Province Key Laboratory of Tumor Cellular & Molecular Pathology, Cancer Research Institute, University of South China, Hengyang, Hunan, China
- Hengyang Medical School, Hunan Province Cooperative Innovation Center for Molecular Target New Drug Study, University of South China, Hengyang, Hunan, China
| | - Ying Zeng
- Hengyang Medical School, School of Nursing, University of South China, Hengyang, Hunan, China
- Hengyang Medical School, Hunan Province Key Laboratory of Tumor Cellular & Molecular Pathology, Cancer Research Institute, University of South China, Hengyang, Hunan, China
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