By Suzanne Rostler

NEW YORK, Sep 15 (Reuters Health) - Two federal agencies announced this week that they have launched a program to encourage research into health issues affecting American Indians and Alaskan Natives, and to increase the number of such Native Americans who pursue careers in medical research.

The program, sponsored by the National Institute of General Medical Sciences (NIGMS) and the Indian Health Service, will also address Native Americans' distrust of medical research.

According to Dr. Clifton Poodry, this long-standing distrust has undermined research into the health problems afflicting Native American tribes.

"Researchers at major institutions have not had credibility in the community, so the research is not being done," said Poodry, who is director of NIGMS, which is part of the US government's National Institutes of Health.

The program "puts American Indians in the driver's seat," Poodry said in an interview. "There will be a collaboration with a national institution, but the tribes decide what is important."

He told Reuters Health that a goal of the program is to develop partnerships between tribal communities and universities conducting health research. These partnerships, known as Native American Research Centers for Health (NARCH), will focus on research projects with the aim of lowering health disparities between Native Americans and other groups of Americans.

Poodry explained that some Native American tribes have higher rates of certain diseases such as diabetes, and are disproportionately affected by substance abuse, smoking and behavioral-related problems.

Under the program, Native American organizations will determine the focus of research, form a partnership with the academic institution of their choice, and apply for a NARCH grant. At least 30% of the grant funds will remain with the Native American group.

NARCH grant applicants must be a federally recognized Indian tribe or tribal organization; a national or area Indian health board; or a consortium of two or more tribes.

The program grew out of a meeting of scientists, health policy experts and American Indian researchers, addressing the health research needs of Native Americans.

(From Reuters Health)