Improving access to nutritious foods in Alaska Native communities
Official title: Neqkiuryaraq - The Art of Preparing Food
Funded at Yukon-Kuskokwim Health Corporation · NIH-10781483 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is all about helping Alaska Native communities in the Yukon-Kuskokwim Delta get better access to healthy and traditional foods, so they can improve their diets and overall health.
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 | 2023 |
| Award (this year) | $1,124,321 |
| NIH project number | 1OT2OD035835-01 |
| Project ID | NIH-10781483 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are adults living in the Yukon-Kuskokwim Delta who experience food insecurity and are at risk for diet-related health issues.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who do not reside in the Yukon-Kuskokwim Delta or who do not face 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 and culturally appropriate foods more accessible. The approach includes partnerships to promote the harvesting and distribution of traditional foods and healthy market options, while also measuring the impact on food security and health outcomes like blood pressure and blood sugar levels.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could significantly improve the health and well-being of Alaska Native communities by enhancing their access to nutritious foods and reducing diet-related diseases.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown that community-engaged approaches to improving food access can lead to positive health outcomes, indicating potential success for this intervention.
Where this research is happening
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Yukon-Kuskokwim Health Corporation
Bethel, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Lefferts, Brian — Yukon-Kuskokwim Health Corporation
- Study coordinator: Lefferts, Brian
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
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The Art of Preparing Food in the Yukon-Kuskokwim Delta
A community-focused program in Alaska will work with local partners to improve access to nutritious, culturally meaningful foods to help reduce diet-related diseases.
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Neqkiuryaraq: Strengthening access to traditional and healthy foods in the Yukon-Kuskokwim Delta
This project will help Alaska Native adults in the Yukon-Kuskokwim Delta get more traditional foods and affordable produce by improving local harvesting and distribution.
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Improving access to healthy food in Alaska Native communities
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!
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.