The National Institutes of Health has launched a $268 million program to support Native American-led research on substance use disorders and pain management. The Native Collective Research Effort to Enhance Wellness (N CREW) Program aims to address health disparities related to the opioid crisis in Native communities.
Recent data shows that overdose death rates have been highest among American Indian and Alaska Native people. The program responds to priorities identified by Tribal leaders, who cited the opioid crisis as a top concern during NIH consultations.
“Elevating the knowledge, expertise, and inherent strengths of Native people in research is crucial for creating sustainable solutions that can effectively promote public health and health equity,” said Dr. Nora Volkow, director of the National Institute on Drug Abuse.
The program will support research integrating Indigenous knowledge and culture, enhance research capacity in Native organizations, and improve data quality on substance use and pain in Native populations.
“Native American communities have been treating pain in their communities for centuries, and this program will uplift that knowledge to support research that is built around cultural strengths and priorities,” noted Dr. Walter Koroshetz, director of the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke.
By funding Native-led projects, the NIH aims to develop more effective, culturally-appropriate interventions to combat addiction and manage pain in Native American communities. The program represents a significant investment in addressing racial health disparities related to substance use disorders and chronic pain.
See “NIH launches program to advance research led by Native American communities on substance use and pain” (August 15, 2024)
