Health Policy Commons^™

Indigenous Communities And Evidence Building, Holly Echo-Hawk

Aboriginal Policy Research Consortium International (APRCi)

Indigenous populations in the U.S. and Pacific Islands are underrepresented in mental health and substance abuse research, are underserved, and have limited access to mainstream providers. Often, they receive care that is low quality and culturally inappropriate, resulting in compromised service outcomes. The First Nations Behavioral Health Association (U.S.) and the Pacific Substance Abuse and Mental Health Collaborating Council (Pacific Jurisdictions), have developed a Compendium of Best Practices for American Indian/Alaska Native and Pacific Island Populations. The private and public sector’s increasing reliance on evidence-based practices (EBP) leaves many Indigenous commu- nities at a disadvantage. For example, funding sources may …