Research Studies
SCF Research has numerous ongoing research studies that answer important questions about the health and wellness of the Native Community. These studies rely on the participation from Alaska Native and American Indian people to answer these questions. If interested in participating, please contact SCF Research.
Contact Us
Research and Data
Services Department
Nuka Learning and Wellness Building
4085 Tudor Centre Drive
Anchorage, AK 99508
Phone
907-729-8623
Email
SCFResearchOffice@scf.cc
Recruiting Participants
Study Name
Caring Texts: A Strength-based, Suicide Prevention Trial
Goal
To culturally tailor and test an evidence-based suicide prevention texting intervention for use with Alaska Native communities.
SCF Lead
Jennifer Shaw, PhD
SCF Partners
University of Washington and Washington State University
Study Name
An exploration of palliative care experiences, preferences, and needs among Alaska Native/American Indian people in a home-based medical care program
Goal
To describe the palliative care experiences, needs, and preferences adults receiving home based medical care.
SCF Lead
Jennifer Shaw, PhD
SCF Partners
University of Colorado Denver, University of Utah
Study Name
Diet and the CPT1A Arctic Variant: Impact on the Health of Alaska Native Children
Goal
To study how diet and differences in genes affect the health of Alaska Native children.
SCF Lead
Denise A. Dillard, PhD
SCF Partners
Oregon Health Sciences University
Study Name
Exploring Palliative Care Communication with Alaska Native and American Indian People in Two Primary Care Settings
Goal
To culturally-tailor and test an intervention to increase advance care planning among Alaska Native and American Indian people with serious illnesses.
SCF Lead
Jennifer Shaw, PhD
SCF Partners
University of New Mexico, University of Colorado, University of Washington, and Washington State University
Study Name
Genes and Aspirin Response in Alaska Native People
Goal
To explore how differences in genes affect how people respond to aspirin, a medication used to reduce risk of heart attacks.
SCF Lead
Denise Dillard, PhD
SCF Partners
University of Washington
Study Name
Online Alcohol Support Preferences
Goal
To identify stakeholder needs and preferences regarding use of an online learning community to support self-management and peer-support for alcohol misuse.
SCF Lead
Jaedon Avey, PhD
SCF Partners
University of Washington School of Medicine
Study Name
Pediatric Studies with Alaska Native Communities
Goal
To establish partnerships to study health priorities of Alaska Native children.
SCF Lead
Jennifer Shaw, PhD
SCF Partners
Alaska Native Tribal Health Consortium
Study Name
Native – Controlling Hypertension and Risks through Technology
Goal
To establish partnerships to study high blood pressure. One study will test whether home blood pressure monitors reduce blood pressure.
SCF Lead
Denise Dillard, PhD
SCF Partners
University of Colorado Denver and Washington State University
Study Name
Home Blood Pressure Monitoring Intervention for Self-Management of High Blood Pressure Among Alaska Native People
Goal
To evaluate BP-ICAN’s impact on within-person change in systolic blood pressure (BP) and secondary outcomes.
SCF Lead
Denise Dillard, PhD
SCF Partners
Washington State University
Study Name
Dementia Screening
Goal
To determine whether a screen instrument with 8 questions can detect early changes in memory in Alaska Native elders .
SCF Lead
Denise Dillard, PhD
SCF Partners
University of Colorado Denver, Washington State University,
Study Name
Feasibility and Acceptability of Community-Based Screening for Hepatitis C in an Urban Alaska Native and American Indian Population
(CURE)
Goal
To pilot and assess an HCV point-of-contact screening process in community-based clinical settings.
SCF Lead
Jennifer Shaw, PhD
SCF Partners
ANTHC, Montana State University
Study Name
Diet and Genes Modifying Antiplatelet Drug Response in ANAI People
Goal
The purpose of this study is to test whether or not ANAI individuals with a diet that provides different levels of omega-3s have different platelet activation and aggregation.
SCF Lead
Denise Dillard, Ph.D.
SCF Partners
University of Washington
Study Name
Piloting a Cultural Resilience scale for Alaska Native peoples
Goal
To create and test a strengths-based survey to see how much engaging with our Indigenous cultures might lead to improved mental health outcomes.
SCF Lead
Kyle Wark
SCF Partners
Washington State University
Study Name
Engaging Stakeholders to Implement Predictive Algorithms for Suicide in an Alaska Native Health System
Goal
To explore community perspectives on approaches to implementing a suicide risk prediction tool in primary care.
SCF Lead
Jennifer Shaw PhD
Jaedon Avey, PhD
SCF Partners
Kaiser Permanente Health Research Institute of Washington, Kaiser Permanente Center for Health Research
Study Name
American Indian and Alaska Native Health Disparities
Goal
To respond to increasing rates of dementia and Alzheimer’s disease among American Indian and Alaska Native people.
SCF Lead
Denise Dillard, PhD
SCF Partners
University of Colorado Denver, Washington State University
Data Being Analyzed
Study Name
Perceptions of Alcohol Misuse and Sobriety in an Alaska Native Health System
Goal
To identify preferred treatment and prevention options for alcohol- and sobriety related care among SCF customer-owners, providers, and leaders,
SCF Lead
Denise Dillard, PhD
SCF Partners
University of Washington School of Medicine and Kaiser Permanente Washington Health Research Institute
Related Publications
Study Name
Adapting a Relationship Awareness Intervention for Committed Couples
Goal
To culturally adapt and pilot test a relationship awareness intervention for committed Alaska Native and American Indian couples.
SCF Lead
Jaedon Avey, PhD
Study Name
Center for American Indian and Alaska Native Diabetes Translational Research
Goal
To establish partnerships and support research in diabetes.
SCF Lead
Denise Dillard, PhD
SCF Partners
University of Colorado Denver
Study Name
Identifying risk factors of suicide death among Alaska Native /American Indians
Goal
Conduct a descriptive secondary analysis of administrative and clinical data to construct a list of suicide risk factors among the case cohort.
SCF Lead
Jaedon Avey, PhD
SCF Partners
BSD Support Services
Study Name
Direct-to-Consumer Genetic Testing among Alaska Native People: Perspectives, Utilization, and Impact
Goal
To explore perspectives, utilization, and potential impacts related to direct-to-consumer genetic testing among Alaska Native people.
SCF Lead
R. Brian Woodbury
SCF Partners
University of Washington
Study Name
Provider and Patient Factors Associated with Diagnosis of Alzheimer’s Disease
Goal
To identify provider and customer-owner factors that contribute to timely diagnosis of ADRD.
SCF Lead
Jaedon Avey, PhD
SCF Partners
University of Washington
Study Name
Exploring Palliative Care Communication with Alaska Native and American Indian People in Two Primary Care Settings
Goal
To culturally-tailor and test an intervention to increase advance care planning among Alaska Native and American Indian people with serious illnesses.
SCF Lead
Jennifer Shaw, PhD
SCF Partners
University of New Mexico, University of Colorado, University of Washington, and Washington State University
Study Name
Induction of Labor Experiences and Preferences
Goal
To explore induction of labor preparation and prioritization of concerns of Alaska Native and American Indian women through key informant interviews.
SCF Lead
Krista Schaefer, MPH
SCF Partners
University of Washington and SCF OBGYN
Publication in Progress
Study Name
Northwest-Alaska Pharmacogenetic Research Network Partnership Core
Goal
To support the Northwest-Alaska Pharmacogenetic Research Network
SCF Lead
Vanessa Hiratsuka, PhD, MPH
SCF Partners
University of Washington
Study Name
Depression Management
Goal
To develop and test an iPad-based tool which gives SCF customer-owners information about different ways to manage depression.
SCF Lead
Jaedon Avey, PhD
SCF Partners
Patient Centered Outcomes Research Institute
Study Name
Knowledge and Preferred Utilization of Suicide Prevention Resources Among Alaska Native/American Indian People in Southcentral Alaska
Goal
To describe resilience and protective factors among Alaska Native and American Indian people with a history of suicidal thoughts or actions.
SCF Lead
Jennifer Shaw, PhD
SCF Partners
Southcentral Foundation Behavioral Health Division
Study Name
Contingency Management for Alcohol Misuse with Alaska Native People
Goal
To culturally-tailor and test an intervention to increase alcohol abstinence among Alaska Native and American Indian people.
SCF Lead
Jennifer Shaw, PhD
SCF Partners
Washington State University
Study Name
NARCH Faculty Development Core
Goal
To provide opportunities for bi-directional and multi-level learning between University of Washington and SCF and to develop a cadre of Alaska Native and American Indian scientists and health research professions through fulfillment of four aims.
SCF Lead
Denise Dillard, PhD
SCF Partners
University of Washington
Study Name
Pathways to recovery among urban Alaska Native and American Indian people with long-term abstinence from alcohol
Goal
Describe how diverse Alaska Native and American Indian adults with a history of alcohol use disorder have attained long-term (≥3 years) alcohol abstinence in an urban setting.
SCF Lead
Kate Lillie, PhD
Jennifer Shaw, PhD
SCF Partners
University of Washington
Study Name
Medication assisted treatment for opioid use disorder in a Tribal health system
Goal
To evaluate the effects of medication assisted treatment for opioid use disorder using electronic health record data.
SCF Lead
Kate Lillie, PhD
SCF Partners
University of Washington
Study Name
Predictive Algorithm for Reducing Risk of Suicide in an Alaska Native Health System
Goal
To validate a predictive algorithm for suicide risk using routinely collected electronic health record data.
SCF Lead
Jennifer Shaw, PhD
SCF Partners
Kaiser Permanente Research Institute of Washington
Study Name
Alaska Education and Research Towards Health (EARTH)
Goal
To study how diet, physical activity, and other lifestyle and cultural factors affect chronic disease.
SCF Lead
Vanessa Hiratsuka, PhD, MPH
SCF Partners
Alaska Native Tribal Health Consortium
Study Name
Community Engaged Research Towards Precision Medicine with AIAN People
Goal
To investigate potential approaches to support Precision Medicine research (PMR) with AIAN people through dialogue with community members, health care providers, and tribal health leaders in Alaska and Montana
SCF Lead
Vanessa Hiratsuka, MPH, PhD
SCF Partners
Oregon Health and Science University, University of Montana, University of Washington
Study Name
Center for the Ethics of Indigenous Genomic Research
Goal
Facilitate the conversation within the tribal community on the ethical, legal and social implications of genomic research.
SCF Lead
Vanessa Hiratsuka, PhD, MPH
SCF Partners
University of Oklahoma, Chickasaw Nation, and Missouri Breaks Industries Research Inc.
Related Publications
Study Name
Genes and Nicotine Metabolism
Goal
To explore how differences in genes affect how people metabolize medications used in tobacco cessation treatment.
SCF Lead
Jaedon, Avey, PhD
SCF Partners
University of Washington School of Pharmacy
Capacity Building
Study Name
American Indian-Alaska Native Clinical and Translational Research Center
Goal
To build partnerships in Alaska and Montana to address health priorities among Alaska Native and American Indian people through training and mentoring of researchers.
SCF Lead
Denise Dillard, PhD
SCF Partners
Montana State University, University of Montana, Blackfeet Tribal College, University of Alaska Anchorage, University of Alaska Fairbanks, and Alaska Native Tribal Health Consortium
Study Name
NARCH IX Faculty Development Core
Goal
Evaluate and enhance SCF Research Department staff’s clinical and translational research skills, scientific writing skills and dissemination efforts to the community.
SCF Lead
Vanessa Hiratsuka, PhD, MPH
SCF Partners
University of Washington
Study Name
University of Washington Patient Centered Outcome Research and SCF Research Partnership
Goal
To develop a program of training in advanced methods of Comparative Effectiveness Research/Patient Centered Outcomes Research.
SCF Lead
Denise Dillard, PhD
SCF Partners
University of Washington School of Pharmacy
Just Awarded
Study Name
URBAn Native Elder (URBANE): Risk and Protective Factors for Alzheimer’s Disease and Related Dementias
Goal
To establish the prevalence of Alzheimer’s disease and related dementia in an urban Alaska Native sample.
SCF Lead
Jaedon Avey, PhD
SCF Partners
Washington State University
Project Completed
Study Name
Genes and Tamoxifen Response
Goal
To explore how differences in genes affect how people respond to Tamoxifen, a medication used to reduce risk of breast cancer.
SCF Lead
Denise Dillard, PhD
SCF Partners
University of Washington School of Pharmacy
Study Name
Colorectal Cancer Screening
Goal
To determine whether text messages increase the number of SCF customer-owners over the age of 40 who get screened for colorectal cancer.
SCF Lead
Denise Dillard, PhD
SCF Partners
University of Washington School of Native Health
Study Name
Online Trauma Support
Goal
Develop and evaluate the acceptability and usability of 3 web-based modules (patient, clinician, & clinical monitoring) that address the consequences of trauma.
SCF Lead
Denise Dillard, PhD
SCF Partners
University of Colorado Denver
Study Name
Trauma Screening
Goal
To develop and test feasibility and acceptability of a screening, brief intervention, and referral process for trauma.
SCF Lead
Denise Dillard, PhD
SCF Partners
University of Colorado Denver Center for American Indian and Alaska Native Health
Study Name
Community Outreach and Engagement
Goal
To work with the Alaska Native and American Indian community to address trauma.
SCF Lead
Denise Dillard, PhD
SCF Partners
University of Colorado Denver
Study Name
Southcentral Foundation Student Development Core for Alaska Native Research
Goal
To increase students and entry-level employees’ awareness of an interest in health research and other science related careers through fulfillment of 3 specific aims.
SCF Lead
Denise Dillard, PhD
SCF Partners
University of Washington
Study Name
Alaska Native Family Health History
Goal
To explore whether Alaska Native people may be willing to have biological specimens and associated family health history information stored for use in future research about cancer.
SCF Lead
Denise Dillard, PhD
SCF Partners
Alaska Native Tribal Health Consortium
Related Publications
Study Name
Nurse Home Visiting
Goal
To determine the impact of an adapted Nurse Family SCF Research Partnership (NFP) program on major maternal and child health.
SCF Lead
Vanessa Hiratsuka, PhD, MPH
SCF Partners
University of Colorado Denver Prevention Research Center for Family and Child Health
Study Name
Southcentral Foundation Administrative Core for Alaska Native Research
Goal
Manage administrative functions, coordinate research activities, direct ongoing evaluation, and lead strategic planning.
SCF Lead
Denise Dillard, PhD
SCF Partners
University of Washington, Kaiser Permanente, University of Minnesota, University of Colorado Denver, Alaska Pacific University, and Indian Health Service
Study Name
Teen Tobacco Screening
Goal
To identify improvements in teen tobacco and electronic cigarette use screening.
SCF Lead
Vanessa Hiratsuka, PhD, MPH
SCF Partners
University of Washington Partnerships for Native Health