The University of Pennsylvania Schools of Nursing and Medicine and the Lenape Tribal Nation of Pennsylvania convened a multidisciplinary "Summit on Indian Health Care," June 9–11, 2005.

The summit was designed to advance knowledge about the interface between Western health care practices and the indigenous health traditions of Native Americans.

Key Results

• Some 141 native and non-native scholars, clinicians, students and community activists from academia, public health, tribal groups and government attended the meeting.
• The meeting incorporated spirituality as an integral aspect of healing, health and wellness. The agenda focused on three major health problems:
  • Obesity
  • Diabetes
  • Violence
• Selected papers presented at the meeting were published in the Journal of Transcultural Nursing, 17(3): 2006. These included:
  • "The Nutrition Transition in American Indians," Charlene Compher, University of Pennsylvania School of Nursing. Abstract.
  • "Promising Strategies for Obesity Prevention and Treatment Within American Indian Communities," Nicolette I. Teufel-Shone, College of Public Health, University of Arizona. Abstract.
  • "Dominant Western Health Care: Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus," Lorraine Levitt Katz and Máire Abraham, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia. Abstract.
  • "Diabetes Prevention in Indian Country: Developing Nutrition Models to Tell the Story of Food System Change," Kibbe M. Conti, Northern Plains Nutrition Consulting, Rapid City, S.D. Abstract.
  • "Violence in Native America: A Historical Perspective," Sheree L. Hukill, Harmony for Healing, Skiatook, Okla. Abstract.
  • "The Medicine Wheel," Ann N. Dapice, T.K. Wolf, Tulsa, Okla. Abstract.
  • "Research and Educational Approaches to Reducing Health Disparities Among American Indians and Alaska Natives," Donald Warne, Arizona State University College of Law. Abstract.

Funding

The Robert Wood Johnson Foundation (RWJF) provided a grant of $25,037 to the University of Pennsylvania School of Nursing from June 2005 to November 2005 in partial support of the meeting. Other funders included the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases, Life Scan and Novo Nordisk.