A candidate for our Global or US Indigenous Health Law and Policy position is currently a Ph.D. candidate in Health Policy Management and a RWJF Health Policy Research Scholar, a program led by the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health.  The candidate’s goal is to reduce infant mortality among American Indian infants through research examining prenatal and postnatal care interventions. As a part of this work, they also seek to end the bifurcation presented regarding maternal and infant health, recognizing that these reinforce each other. One of the issues with examining health care among American Indians is the complicated nature of the institutional arrangements that differ by location and have shifted over time. On some reservations, the Indian Health Service and tribal clinics can provide care for pregnant women and their infants. However, in other areas, the facilities are not equipped for childbirths, and women are generally referred out of the Indian Health Service system. This can be a stressful situation as women and their families may not be familiar with them and the facilities may not accommodate the families’ desires regarding pregnancy and birth. Working across sectors to form a culture of health that can truly support native families before, during, and after birth is the focus of the candidates work.

The candidate is an enrolled member of the Cheyenne River Sioux Tribe. Born and raised on the Cheyenne River Sioux Indian Reservation, they have gained the first-hand experience of understanding health disparities and health barriers American Indians face. They have dedicated their life goals to serving their community and other American Indian communities to improve the overall health of community members and gap health disparities by addressing the social determinants of health. The candidate is passionate about incorporating effective health policy that encompasses cultural beliefs and practices, as well as health equity.

Job Talk: “American Indian Maternal Health Crisis: Outcomes and access to care”
This research fills the gap in knowledge and maternal health status on regional differences in birth outcomes among AI and helps to develop informed interventions and policies to improve birth outcomes through a culture of health.