News

Walker to speak on American Indian, Alaska Native behavioral health

Published on October 18, 2016

Spotlight Series LogoNative Heritage—Understanding American Indian/Alaska Native Behavioral Health:
Pursuing the Cause of the Causes

 

Dale Walker, MD, Director of the One Sky Center
Professor Emeritus of Psychiatry, Oregon Health and Science University

Wednesday, Nov. 9
12:30 – 1:30 pm
Callaghan Auditorium

The health status of American Indians and Alaskan Natives is well documented to be far below that of the general population of the United States. Chronic diseases are especially problematic, and behavioral health conditions such as depression, anxiety, addictions, suicide, and family disruption are concerns across all tribes. In addition, the ability to provide adequate, culturally sensitive, evidence-based care in this era of health reform is especially challenging.

In this presentation, Dr. Dale Walker will review the chronic illness issues of Native populations, with a special focus on suicide and substance use disorders. Dr. Walker will examine the use of culturally derived social skills training and social determinants—defined as how and where we live, learn, work and play throughout our life—as powerful integrative tools to assist our efforts in rethinking health care delivery in Native communities.

Dr. Walker is the director of the One Sky Center, a National Resource Center for American Indian and Alaska Native Health, Education and Research. It is dedicated to quality health care across Indian Country.