Native American Heritage Month: Helping to build strong communities

Earn CME credits while learning how to prevent and treat alcohol abuse

As a health care professional treating patients in Native American communities, it’s important to understand the culture and challenges of Indigenous people. This insight will help you and your patients have better conversations about health care and the best way to achieve improved outcomes. 

A challenge at the forefront of Indigenous health care is alcohol misuse and its repercussions. According to recent research published in the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality, alcohol use disorder (AUD) is prevalent in Native American communities and a significant contributor to lower life expectancy compared to other populations.¹ Health care professionals have an obligation to learn about these concerns and address them strategically and with compassion. 

What you can do 

• Earn a free CME credit by taking Strategies for Addressing Alcohol Use Disorder in the Post-Pandemic Era, an online activity from Optum Health Education
• Review and apply the research-based information provided in the tool Native Communities – Alcohol Intervention Review (NativeAIR). Developed by The National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, for Native American communities, health care professionals and researchers, the tool evaluates 39 interventions dedicated to treating AUD, preventing fetal alcohol spectrum disorders and minimizing the impact of alcohol misuse.