Improving access to healthy food in Alaska Native communities
Official title: Neqkiuryaraq - The Art of Preparing Food
Funded at Yukon-Kuskokwim Health Corporation · NIH-11167932 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is all about helping people in the Yukon-Kuskokwim Delta of Alaska get better access to healthy foods by working with the community and using traditional knowledge, so if you're part of this area and want to improve your diet and health, this project could be for you!
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Yukon-Kuskokwim Health Corporation NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Bethel, United States) |
| Project start | September 22, 2023 |
| Project end | September 21, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $374,748 |
| NIH project number | 3OT2OD035835-01S1 |
| Project ID | NIH-11167932 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are Alaska Native individuals aged 21 and older who are experiencing food insecurity or diet-related health issues.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who do not identify as Alaska Native or who are not affected by food insecurity may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research focuses on addressing food insecurity in the Yukon-Kuskokwim Delta of Alaska, where many Alaska Native Tribes face significant health disparities due to poor diet. By engaging the community and utilizing traditional knowledge, the project aims to enhance the local food system, making nutritious foods more accessible. The approach includes partnerships to promote the harvesting and distribution of traditional and healthy market foods. Participants will be assessed on their food security, diet quality, and health metrics like blood pressure and blood sugar.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could significantly improve the health and well-being of Alaska Native communities by increasing access to nutritious foods.
How similar studies have gone: Similar community-engaged approaches in other regions have shown promise in improving food security and health outcomes, suggesting potential success for this initiative.
Where this research is happening
-
Yukon-Kuskokwim Health Corporation
Bethel, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Lefferts, Brian — Yukon-Kuskokwim Health Corporation
- Study coordinator: Lefferts, Brian
About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page.