Stress-coping support for Alaska Native women in Southwest Alaska
Official title: Developing a stress coping intervention for Alaska Native women in Southwest Alaska
Funded at Alaska Native Tribal Health Consortium · NIH-11366806 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A culturally grounded stress coping program is being developed to help Alaska Native women in Southwest Alaska reduce stress and improve sexual health and well-being.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Alaska Native Tribal Health Consortium NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Anchorage, United States) |
| Project start | August 1, 2026 |
| Project end | July 31, 2029 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $256,213 |
| NIH project number | 1S06GM164730-01 |
| Project ID | NIH-11366806 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Alaska Native women aged reproductive age living in Southwest Alaska who experience psychosocial stress and are at risk for sexually transmitted infections.
✕Less likely to help
Women not affected by high-stress exposure or not living in the Southwest Alaska region may not benefit from this intervention.
What this research studies
This project aims to create a culturally responsive stress coping intervention tailored for Alaska Native (AN) women in the Southwest region. It will integrate community strengths and traditional practices to support mental health and reduce risk factors linked to sexually transmitted infections. The work involves partnerships with the Yukon-Kuskokwim Health Corporation and AN communities to design, pilot, and refine the intervention in real-world settings. The approach emphasizes respectful collaboration, local leadership, and strategies that fit the unique social and cultural context of AN women. The ultimate goal is to empower participants with coping skills that may lower STI susceptibility and promote healthier vaginal microbiomes.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the program could reduce stress-related risk factors and improve sexual health outcomes for Alaska Native women.
How similar studies have gone: Culturally grounded, strengths-based approaches have shown promise in improving health behaviors in Indigenous communities, with early positive signals when community-led frameworks are used.
Where this research is happening
-
Alaska Native Tribal Health Consortium
Anchorage, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Jessen, Cornelia M — Alaska Native Tribal Health Consortium
- Study coordinator: Jessen, Cornelia M
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.