Explaining COVID-19 related mortality disparities in American Indians and Alaska Natives.

American Indian and Alaska Native (AI/AN) individuals are more likely to die with COVID-19 than other groups, but there is limited empirical evidence to explain the cause of this inequity. The objective of this study was to determine whether medical comorbidities, area socioeconomic deprivation, or access to treatment can explain the greater COVID-19 related mortality among AI/AN individuals. The design was a retrospective cohort study of harmonized electronic health record data of all inpatients with COVID-19 from 21 United States health systems from February 2020 through January 2022.

Ethical publishing in 'Indigenous' contexts.

Ethical publishing practices are vital to tobacco control research practice, particularly research involving Indigenous (: For the purposes of this Special Communication, we use the term Indigenous people(s) to include self-identified individuals and communities who frequently have historical continuity with precolonial/presettler societies; are strongly linked to the land on which they or their societies reside; and often maintain their own distinct language(s), belief and social-political systems, economies and sciences. The authors humbly acknowledge, respect and value that Indigenous peoples are diverse and constitute many nations, cultures and language groups. Many Indigenous peoples also exist as governments in treaty relations with settler-colonial societies, and all Indigenous peoples have inherent rights under international law.

A Framework for Promoting Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion in Genetics and Genomics Research.

Importance: Research into the genetic and genomic ("genomics") foundations of disease is central to our understanding of disease prevention, early detection, diagnostic accuracy, and therapeutic intervention. Inequitable participation in genomics research by historically excluded populations limits the ability to translate genomic knowledge to achieve health equity and ensure that findings are generalizable to diverse populations.

Observations: We propose a novel framework for promoting diversity, equity, and inclusion in genomics research.

Efficacy and Utilization of Smartphone Applications for Smoking Cessation Among American Indians and Alaska Natives: Results From the iCanQuit Trial.

Introduction: There is tremendous need for efficacious and accessible interventions for smoking cessation among American Indians and Alaska Natives. We tested the efficacy of an Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)-based smartphone application (iCanQuit) versus US Clinical Practice Guidelines-based smartphone application (QuitGuide) for smoking cessation among American Indians and Alaska Natives.

Aims And Methods: We compared cessation, changes in ACT-based processes, engagement and satisfaction between American Indian and Alaska Native iCanQuit (n = 89) and QuitGuide (n = 80) participants enrolled in the iCanQuit trial.

Commercial Tobacco Retailing in Tribal Jurisdictions: A Field Study.

Our objective was to provide data contrasting commercial tobacco retailing in Tribal versus non-Tribal jurisdictions, in 3 states. These data may be relevant for US Food and Drug Administration regulation of Tribal retailing. With Tribal permission, observations were made on commercial tobacco advertising, product variety, pricing, and retail concept for stores within and just outside Tribal jurisdictions in areas of Arizona (AZ), California (CA), and Oklahoma (OK).

The First 10 Years: Reflecting on Opportunities and Challenges of the Tobacco Products Scientific Advisory Committee of the United States Food and Drug Administration.

Tobacco control policies have helped to reduce the health, social, and economic burden of commercial tobacco use worldwide. Little is known about the long-term impact of regulatory policies and functioning bodies that make recommendations to inform policies. The Tobacco Products Scientific Advisory Committee (TPSAC) of the U.

Genetics of Smoking Behaviors in American Indians.

Background: The smoking behavior of American Indians (AI) differs from that of non-Hispanic whites (NHW). Typically light smokers, cessation interventions in AIs are generally less effective. To develop more effective cessation programs for AIs, clinicians, researchers, and public health workers need a better understanding of the genetic factors involved in their smoking behavior.

Active smoking, secondhand smoke exposure and serum cotinine levels among Cheyenne River Sioux communities in context of a Tribal Public Health Policy.

Introduction: American Indians and Alaska Natives face disproportionately high rates of smoking and secondhand smoke (SHS) exposure. The Cheyenne River Sioux Tribe (CRST) is among the few Tribal Nations controlling commercial tobacco exposures in public and work places. We had an opportunity to explore effects of the new commercial tobacco-free policy (implemented in 2015) in an environmental health study (2014-2016) that collected information about commercial tobacco use and SHS prevalence and examined predictor variables of serum cotinine concentrations.

Diné (Navajo) Healer Perspectives on Commercial Tobacco Use in Ceremonial Settings: An Oral Story Project to Promote Smoke-Free Life.

Many American Indian (AI) healers are faced with a dilemma of how to maintain the ceremonial uses of traditional tobacco meant to encourage the restoration and balance of mind, body, and spirit, while discouraging commercial tobacco use and protecting against secondhand smoke exposure in ceremonial settings. To explore this dilemma and offer culturally informed solutions, researchers conducted qualitative interviews with Navajo healers who describe the history and role of commercial tobacco within ceremonial contexts. Healers understand the importance of their role on their community's health and expressed deep concern about the use of commercial tobacco in the ceremonial setting.

Commercial tobacco and indigenous peoples: a stock take on Framework Convention on Tobacco Control progress.

Background: The health status and needs of indigenous populations of Australia, Canada and New Zealand are often compared because of the shared experience of colonisation. One enduring impact has been a disproportionately high rate of commercial tobacco use compared with non-indigenous populations. All three countries have ratified the WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (FCTC), which acknowledges the harm caused to indigenous peoples by tobacco.

Effect of the Smoke-Free Illinois Act on casino admissions and revenue.

Objective: As part of the Smoke-Free Illinois Act, smoking on the gambling floors of all commercial casinos in Illinois became prohibited. This study examined the effects of the Smoke-Free Illinois Act on casino admissions per-capita and real per-capita adjusted gross receipts using 18 years of data (10 years before and 8 years after the Illinois law went into effect).

Methods: We employed a difference-in-difference regression technique using monthly data for the states of Illinois, Indiana, Iowa and Missouri and control for numerous determinants expected to affect casino admissions and revenue.

Relationships Between Smoking Behaviors and Cotinine Levels Among Two American Indian Populations With Distinct Smoking Patterns.

Introduction: Smoking prevalence, cigarettes per day (CPD), and lung cancer incidence differ between Northern Plains (NP) and Southwest (SW) American Indian populations. We used cotinine as a biomarker of tobacco smoke exposure to biochemically characterize NP and SW smokers and nonsmokers and to investigate factors associated with variation in tobacco exposure.

Methods: American Indians (N = 636) were recruited from two different tribal populations (NP and SW) as part of a study conducted as part of the Collaborative to Improve Native Cancer Outcomes P50 project.

Variation in CYP2A6 and nicotine metabolism among two American Indian tribal groups differing in smoking patterns and risk for tobacco-related cancer.

Objective: The Northern Plains (NP) and Southwest (SW) American Indian populations differ in their smoking patterns and lung cancer incidence. We aimed to compare CYP2A6 genetic variation and CYP2A6 enzyme activity (representative of the rate of nicotine metabolism) between the two tribal populations as these have previously been associated with differences in smoking, quitting, and lung cancer risk.

Participants And Methods: American Indians (N=636) were recruited from two different tribal populations (NP in South Dakota, SW in Arizona) as part of a study carried out as part of the Collaborative to Improve Native Cancer Outcomes P50 Project.

Advancing smoke-free policy adoption on the Navajo Nation.

Background: Comprehensive smoke-free laws are effective at protecting non-smokers and reducing tobacco use, yet they are not widely adopted by tribal governments.

Methods: A series of smoke-free policy initiatives on the Navajo Nation, beginning in 2008, were reviewed to identify key issues, successes and setbacks.

Results: It has been essential that proposed policies acknowledge the Navajo people's spiritual use of nát'oh, a sacred plant used for gift-giving, medicinal purposes and traditional ceremonies, while simultaneously discouraging a secular use of commercial tobacco.

Breathing clean air is Są'áh Naagháí Bik'eh Hózhóó (SNBH): a culturally centred approach to understanding commercial smoke-free policy among the Diné (Navajo People).

Introduction: Indigenous worldviews and research approaches are fundamental to make meaning of complex health issues and increase the likelihood of identifying existing cultural protective factors that have contributed to the resilience and survival of Indigenous people worldwide.

Objective: We describe the process for applying the Diné (Navajo) paradigm of Są'áh Naagháí Bik'eh Hózhóó (SNBH), a belief system that guides harmonious living, and demonstrate how the application of SNBH enhances understanding of Navajo principles for well-being. Specifically, we juxtapose this analysis with a conventional qualitative analysis to illuminate and interpret Diné perspectives on the health and economic impact of commercial secondhand smoke and smoke-free policy.

Master Settlement Agreement Compliance Tobacco Directories: A Tool to Track Tribally Manufactured Cigarettes.

Introduction: Little is known about the scope of the tribally manufactured cigarette market. This study illuminates the topic by examining the Master Settlement Agreement Compliance Tobacco Directories, regularly updated documents that list the cigarette manufacturers and brand families that can be legally sold within participating states.

Methods: In July 2014, the latest Tobacco Directories were identified for 43 states and the District of Columbia.

Working to Eliminate Cancer Health Disparities from Tobacco: A Review of the National Cancer Institute's Community Networks Program.

Introduction: In 2005, the National Cancer Institute funded the Community Networks Program (CNP), which aimed to reduce cancer health disparities in minority racial/ethnic and underserved groups through community-based participatory research, education, and training. The purpose of this study was to describe the CNP model and their tobacco-related work in community-based research, education, and training using a tobacco disparities research framework.

Methods: We conducted a comprehensive review of the CNP tobacco-related activities including publications, published abstracts, research activities, trainee pilot studies, policy-related activities, educational outreach, and reports produced from 2005-2009.

Disparities in Smoking-Related Mortality Among American Indians/Alaska Natives.

Introduction: Smoking-related disparities continue to be a public health problem among American Indian/Alaska Native (AI/AN) population groups and data documenting the health burden of smoking in this population are sparse. The purpose of this study was to assess mortality attributable to cigarette smoking among AI/AN adults relative to non-Hispanic white adults (whites) by calculating and comparing smoking-attributable fractions and mortality.

Methods: Smoking-attributable fractions and mortality among AI/ANs (n=1.