Understanding opioid misuse and overdose risks in American Indian communities
Official title: Examination of evolving opioid misuse and overdose risk among American Indians
Funded at Indian Health Council, INC. · NIH-10923827 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking into how opioid misuse affects American Indian and Alaska Native communities in Southern California, and it aims to gather information from local people to better understand the problem and find ways to help.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Indian Health Council, INC. NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Valley Center, United States) |
| Project start | September 15, 2022 |
| Project end | July 31, 2026 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $339,257 |
| NIH project number | 5S06GM146121-03 |
| Project ID | NIH-10923827 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are American Indian and Alaska Native adults living in Southern California who are affected by or at risk for opioid misuse.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who do not belong to American Indian or Alaska Native communities may not receive direct benefits from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates the opioid crisis specifically within American Indian and Alaska Native communities in Southern California. It aims to gather data through interviews, surveys, and population-level statistics to understand the changing patterns of opioid misuse and overdose risks. By engaging with the community, the project seeks to identify local factors contributing to the crisis and inform public health responses. The study will span four years, focusing on collecting relevant and actionable data to address this pressing issue.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to targeted interventions that reduce opioid misuse and overdose rates in American Indian communities.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown that community-engaged approaches can effectively address substance misuse issues, suggesting potential for success in this study.
Where this research is happening
-
Indian Health Council, INC.
Valley Center, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Gaines, Tommi Lynn — Indian Health Council, INC.
- Study coordinator: Gaines, Tommi Lynn
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
-
NARCH XIII Student Development Program for AI/AN Health Scientists
A program to help American Indian and Alaska Native students finish college and pursue health-related degrees and careers.
-
CA-NARCH Student Development Program Administrative Core
A government-funded program to support AI/AN student researchers and strengthen tribal partnerships to reduce health disparities.
-
NARCH XIII– Student Development program for AI/AN students
A grant to support AI/AN students through a structured pathway from high school to graduate programs in health and STEM, helping them pursue careers in American Indian/Alaska Native health and research.
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Opioid use and overdose risks among Southern California American Indian and Alaska Native adults
Researchers will collect interviews, surveys, and local records to understand changing opioid use and overdose risks for American Indian and Alaska Native adults in Southern California.
-
Preventing HPV-related cancers in American Indian and Alaska Native communities
This project brings community-led outreach and clinic changes to increase HPV vaccination for adolescents and cervical cancer screening for women in Southern California tribal communities.
-
Native American Community Health Research Partnership
This program supports Native American communities to strengthen trauma-informed care, increase HPV screening and vaccination, improve opioid services, and boost overall community health.
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.