Creating a culturally relevant program to prevent opioid misuse among young American Indian and Alaska Native adults in California

Development and Implementation of a Culturally Centered Opioid Prevention Intervention for American Indian/Alaska Native Young Adults in California

NIH-funded research Rand Corporation · NIH-10689732

This study is all about creating a supportive program to help young American Indian and Alaska Native adults in California, aged 18-25, avoid misusing opioids by connecting with their culture and community.

Quick facts

Grant typeNIH-funded research
Study typeNIH-funded research
Funding institutionRand Corporation NIH-funded
Lab location1 site (Santa Monica, United States)
Project IDNIH-10689732 on NIH RePORTER

What this research studies

This research focuses on developing and implementing a culturally-centered intervention aimed at preventing opioid misuse among American Indian and Alaska Native young adults aged 18-25 in California. The project, named POMANAYA, will involve engaging with the community through wellness gatherings and focus groups to understand the unique challenges faced by these individuals. By incorporating culturally appropriate strategies and leveraging social networks, the intervention seeks to address the high rates of opioid use disorders and related deaths in this vulnerable population. The approach emphasizes both individual and community-level interventions to foster a supportive environment for young adults.

Who could benefit from this research

Good fit: Ideal candidates for this research are American Indian and Alaska Native young adults aged 18-25 living in urban areas of California.

Not a fit: Patients outside the age range of 18-25 or those not identifying as American Indian or Alaska Native may not benefit from this research.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this research could significantly reduce opioid misuse and improve overall health outcomes for American Indian and Alaska Native young adults.

How similar studies have performed: Previous research has shown success in culturally tailored interventions for substance use prevention among similar populations, indicating a promising approach.

Where this research is happening

Santa Monica, United States

Researchers

About this research

  1. This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
  2. Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
  3. For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.
Last reviewed 2026-06-13 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.