COMMUNITY, CULTURE & HEALING: ADDRESSING SUBSTANCE USE IN AMERICAN INDIAN/ALASKA NATIVE POPULATIONS
Explore the intersection of historical trauma, public health, and addiction treatment within American Indian and Alaska Native (AN) communities. Examine how historical and intergenerational trauma contribute to disparities in substance use and inform approaches to culturally responsive care. Review epidemiological data and public health strategies used to address opioid use disorder (OUD) as a key priority in the Indian Health Service and Tribal health systems. Evidence-based prevention, treatment, recovery, and harm reduction approaches will be evaluated in the context of Tribal communities. Emphasis is placed on the importance of interdisciplinary collaboration and the integration of traditional AN healing practices and community-based approaches in addiction treatment.
Prerequisites & course information
Requisites: MED SC-M 810 , 811 , 812 , and 813 Course Designation: Grad 50% - Counts toward 50% graduate coursework requirement Repeatable for Credit: No Last Taught: Fall 2026 Learning Outcomes: 1. Analyze the historical and intergenerational trauma that contributes to addiction disparities among American Indian/Alaska Native (AI/AN) populations and explain how these legacies inform culturally responsive care. Audience: Graduate 2. Interpret and apply epidemiological data and public health strategies to address opioid use disorder (OUD) as a priority within the Indian Health Service and Tribal health systems. Audience: Graduate 3. Evaluate evidence and practice-based strategies for opioid use disorder (OUD) prevention, treatment, recovery and hard reduction, highlighting community led initiatives by Tribal governments and organizations. Audience: Graduate 4. Summarize the importance of interdisciplinary collaboration in addiction treatment. Audience: Graduate 5. Integrate Indigenous traditional healing as evidence and practice-based approaches to care. Audience: Graduate Learning Outcomes: 1. Analyze the historical and intergenerational trauma that contributes to addiction disparities among American Indian/Alaska Native (AI/AN) populations and explain how these legacies inform culturally responsive care. Audience: Graduate 2. Interpret and apply epidemiological data and public health strategies to address opioid use disorder (OUD) as a priority within the Indian Health Service and Tribal health systems. Audience: Graduate 3. Evaluate evidence and practice-based strategies for opioid use disorder (OUD) prevention, treatment, recovery and hard reduction, highlighting community led initiatives by Tribal governments and organizations. Audience: Graduate 4. Summarize the importance of interdisciplinary collaboration in addiction treatment. Audience: Graduate 5. Integrate Indigenous traditional healing as evidence and practice-based approaches to care. Audience: Graduate
Sources
- Course catalogue ↗2026-2027