Learning Together: Sharing Circles in Rural Alaska on Cancer Education Priorities for Youth.

Area of Science:

• Public Health
• Indigenous Health
• Cancer Prevention

Background:

• Health inequities in cancer disproportionately affect Indigenous youth.
• Culturally relevant health promotion is essential for effective cancer education.
• Community-Based Participatory Action Research (CBPAR) principles can empower communities.

Purpose of the Study:

• To understand community priorities for cancer education among youth in the Northwest Arctic.
• To lay the foundation for developing culturally relevant cancer education materials.
• To explore youth and community perspectives on cancer information needs.

Main Methods:

• Conducted 13 sharing circles in three Northwest Arctic communities with 122 participants.
• Participants included youth, teachers, community members, and health professionals.
• Explored knowledge, perceptions, concerns, and hopes regarding cancer information.

Main Results:

• A strong desire for information on cancer prevention and risk factors was identified.
• Participants emphasized the need for culturally relevant content, including local stories, visuals, and data.
• Teachers requested an online resource with videos, lesson plans, and activities.

Conclusions:

• Culturally tailored cancer education is vital for reducing health disparities in Indigenous youth.
• Community engagement and Indigenous ways of knowing are key to developing effective health promotion strategies.
• Accessible online resources incorporating local context can enhance cancer education in schools.