Cherokee Nation sponsors national conference to improve health in tribal communities

ORLANDO, Fla. — The Cherokee Nation is hosting a national conference in partnership with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to address ways to improve health in tribal communities on Sept. 26–28 in Orlando, Fla. The Healthy Communities for a Healthy Tomorrow Action Institute will take place at the Wyndham Lake Buena Vista Resort, 1850 Hotel Plaza Blvd., in Orlando.

Native Americans suffer disproportionally from chronic diseases like diabetes, obesity, heart disease, cancer and maternal and child issues. These diseases have been related to common risk factors such as lack of access to healthy food, physical activity and exposure to second-hand smoke. Healthy Communities for a Healthy Tomorrow is a public health action institute that links tribal leadership and health professionals with the latest research and practices. During the conference, abstracts are invited to present ideas that will create healthier policies, systems and environments in tribal communities.

“One of our goals is to change our environment in the Cherokee Nation and to make the healthy choice the easy choice,” said Lisa Pivec, director of Cherokee Nation Healthy Nation. “It’s not enough to simply teach our citizens about nutrition, fitness, exercise and the dangers of commercial tobacco use. We have to provide them with the tools they need to actually change the way they live. To accomplish that goal, we need to involve every aspect of the community.”

During the convention abstracts will be presented showing innovative, evidence based practices that increase access to healthy foods and physical activity while decreasing exposure to second-hand smoke. Tribal leaders and health administrators, allied health professionals, health educators, social workers, community health workers, students, researchers and interested community members are welcome to attend the convention.

Cherokee Nation Healthy Nation is a health initiative designed to bring awareness of relevant health risk and issues to Cherokee citizens while providing education and activities to improve tribal member’s health. Healthy Nation offers tobacco prevention, sponsored activities, the Male Seminary Family Recreation Center, nutrition education, school and youth programs, obesity prevention and diabetes prevention.

The deadline for abstract submissions is Aug. 15. General registration for interested community members ends Sept. 5. Applications are available at http://www.jcwevaluation.com or http://www.cherokee.org. For more information about Healthy Communities for a Healthy Tomorrow Action Institute contact Randy Gibson at 918-207-6782 or randy-gibson@cherokee.org.