Mayo Clinic Traumatic Brain Injury Model System

MAYO CLINIC TRAUMATIC BRAIN INJURY MODEL SYSTEM CENTER WAYS OF KNOWING: LISTENING TO UPPER GREAT LAKES TRIBAL COMMUNITIES TO CHARACTERIZE TRAUMATIC BRAIN INJURY INCIDENCE, IMPACT, AND HEALTH INEQUITIES PROJECT SUMMARY/ABSTRACT Tribal communities in our region are at the highest risk for traumatic brain injury (TBI), having experienced historical and persistent socioeconomic and health inequities associated with poor health outcomes. During this 5-year study period we will partner with the Indian Health Service Bemidji Area Office, the Great Lakes Inter-Tribal Epidemiology Center, and state Trauma Programs with the goals of generating new knowledge concerning the epidemiological profile of TBI among Tribal communities in the upper Great Lakes region and understanding their lived experience with TBI. The target populations for this research are: 1) individuals with TBI among Tribal members in urban and rural settings; 2) their families; 3) their Tribes; 4) Tribal, State, and health care policy makers, and 5) health care providers. The objectives are: 1) to determine the incidence of TBI among Tribal communities in MI, MN, and WI, during the years 2012 to 2022, linking State Trauma Registry datasets with Indian Health Service Tribal Registry datasets to minimize racial misclassification, and 2) to understand the lived experiences, and medical, cultural, and social support needs of our target populations by holding Gathering of Native Americans listening sessions in the 3-state region. The anticipated outcomes are to develop a more accurate understanding of epidemiological characteristics of TBI in Tribal communities and identify what is most important about TBI to them. The anticipated long-term outcome of the project is to establish a foundation of trust, respect, and knowledge to build sustainable community-based participatory research relationships between Mayo Clinic, Tribal communities, and Trauma Programs in the upper Great Lakes states. The expected products will center on using project quantitative and qualitative data to identify community priorities and public health intervention targets within Tribal communities that will promote health equity and ultimately reduce disease burden related to TBI.