Teshia G Solomon

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Scholarly Contributions

Chapters

• Solomon, T. G. (2022).
  1. Chapter 5. Building Infrastructure, Increasing Capacity, and Improving Quality in Indigenous Health Systems.
  . In Indigenous Public Health: Improvement through Community-Engaged Interventions.(pp 103-124). University of Kentucky Press.
• Solomon, T. G., Randall, L. M., & Satter, D. E. (2014). Chapter 1—The Complexity of American Indian and Alaska Native Health and Health Research: Historical, Social, and Political Implications for Research. In Conducting Health Research with Native American Communities(pp 1-22). APHA. doi:10.2105/9780875532028ch01
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  INTRODUCTION Understanding the historic and current social and political context in which tribes and American Indian and Alaska Native (AIAN) communities function will assist the researcher in communicating with and building strong relationships in AIAN country. A review is provided of the historic relations between American Indians and Alaska Natives and the US government as well as demographic information, key definitions, policies relevant to public health, and the research concerns of racial underreporting and misclassification specific to American Indians and Alaska Natives.

Journals/Publications

• Cunningham, J. K., Solomon, T. G., Ritchey, J., & Weiss, B. D. (2023). Alcohol Use Disorder Visits and Suicide Ideation Diagnosis: Racial/Ethnic Differences at Emergency Departments. American journal of preventive medicine, 65(6), 1113-1123.
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  Nationally, suicide ideation prevalence is comparable among White, American Indian/Alaska Native, Black, and Hispanic adults experiencing alcohol use disorder. This study examines whether such comparability extends to the probability of receiving a suicide ideation diagnosis when presenting with alcohol use disorder at emergency departments. The probability of hospitalization following such diagnosis is examined as well.
• Attakai, A., Solomon, T. G., Starks, R. R., Molina, F., Cordova-Marks, F., Kahn-John, M., Antone, C. L., Flores, M., & Garcia, F. (2022). The Generational Impact Of Racism On Health: Voices From American Indian Communities: Study examines the generational impact of racism on the health of American Indian communities and people.. Health Affairs, 41(2), 281-288. doi:10.1377/hlthaff.2021.01419
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  Structural racism toward American Indians and Alaska Natives is found in nearly every policy regarding and action taken toward that population since non-Natives made first contact with the Indigenous peoples of the United States. Generations of American Indians and Alaska Natives have suffered from policies that called for their genocide as well as policies intended to acculturate and dominate them-such as the sentiment from Richard Henry Pratt to "kill the Indian…, save the man." The intergenerational effect is one that has left American Indians and Alaska Natives at the margins of health and the health care system. The effect is devastating psychologically, eroding a value system that is based on community and the sanctity of all creation. Using stories we collected from American Indian people who have experienced the results of racist policies, we describe historical trauma and its links to the health of American Indians and Alaska Natives. We develop two case studies around these stories, including one from a member of the Navajo Nation's experiences during the COVID-19 pandemic, to illustrate biases in institutionalized structures. Finally, we describe how the American Indian and Alaska Native Cultural Wisdom Declaration can help policy makers eliminate the effect of systemic racism on the health of American Indians and Alaska Natives-for instance, by lifting constraints on federal funding for American Indian and Alaska Native initiatives and allowing payment to traditional healers for their health services.
• Cunningham, J. K., Scott, D. P., Molina, F. F., & Solomon, T. G. (2022). Services and Challenges at a Native American Residential Substance Use Disorder Treatment Center during the COVID-19 Pandemic. Journal of health care for the poor and underserved, 33(2), 1107-1113.
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  During the COVID-19 pandemic, challenges arose for a Native American residential substance use disorder treatment program in California (e.g., insufficient housing for quarantining, inadequate telehealth bandwidth, food shortages, client skepticism regarding safety needs). These challenges were addressed, culturally appropriate services continued, no clients tested positive for COVID-19, and unexpected benefits arose.
• Cunningham, J. K., Solomon, T. G., Ritchey, J., & Muramoto, M. L. (2022). Dual Diagnosis and Alcohol/Nicotine Use Disorders: Native American and White Hospital Patients in 3 States. American journal of preventive medicine, 62(2), e107-e116.
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  Nationally, mental illness prevalence is comparable among Native Americans and Whites experiencing alcohol and nicotine use disorders. However, authors are concerned that mental illness in Native Americans with substance use disorders may be disparately underdiagnosed in medical settings. For 3 states with large Native American populations, this study compares the prevalence of mental illness diagnoses among Native Americans and Whites hospitalized with alcohol/nicotine use disorders.
• Lowe, A. A., Simmons, B., Nez, P., Begay, E., Liu, A., King, D., Gerald, J. K., Aaron, K., Wightman, P., Solomon, T., Crooks, J., Phan, H., Morgan, W., Bender, B., & Gerald, L. B. (2022). An asthma collaboration to reduce childhood asthma disparities on the Navajo Nation: Trial protocol for the Community Asthma Program. Public health in practice (Oxford, England), 4, 100289.
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  Navajo children disproportionately experience poor asthma outcomes. Following a one-year community engagement period with key stakeholders from the Navajo Nation, the Community Asthma Program (CAP) was created using evidenced based programs with the goal of reducing asthma disparities among Navajo children. CAP is being evaluated with a six-year, multi-site step-wedge design in three Navajo communities: Tuba City, Chinle and Fort Defiance, Arizona. The primary outcome is asthma exacerbations defined as use of systemic oral corticosteroids, asthma hospitalizations, asthma related ED visits, and ICU admissions. Asthma exacerbations will be measured using data from the electronic medical records of the three community health care centers. Secondary outcomes include will changes in asthma-related events and asthma control. The RE-AIM ( , 2 , 3) , 4) , and 5) ) framework is being used to guide the implementation evaluation which includes iterative collection and analysis of process data to identify facilitators and barriers, describe relevant organizational contexts, and inform strategies for dissemination. The CAP intervention requires community engagement and participation, building community capacity, incorporating evidenced-based guidelines and practices while ensuring program strategies actively involve Navajo community members during all steps of the intervention. The outcome of this trial will allow us to determine the effectiveness of a multi-component, community-focused intervention to improve asthma in a tribal community.
• Muramoto, M. L., Ritchey, J., Solomon, T. G., & Cunningham, J. K. (2022). Dual Diagnosis and Alcohol/Nicotine Use Disorders: Native American and White Hospital Patients in 3 States. American Journal of Preventive Medicine, 62(2), e107-e116. doi:10.1016/j.amepre.2021.06.024
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  Nationally, mental illness prevalence is comparable among Native Americans and Whites experiencing alcohol and nicotine use disorders. However, authors are concerned that mental illness in Native Americans with substance use disorders may be disparately underdiagnosed in medical settings. For 3 states with large Native American populations, this study compares the prevalence of mental illness diagnoses among Native Americans and Whites hospitalized with alcohol/nicotine use disorders.In 2021, hospital discharge data were used to compare non-Hispanic Native Americans with non-Hispanic Whites in Arizona and New Mexico (2016-2018) and (regardless of Hispanic ethnicity) Native Americans with Whites in Oklahoma (2016-2017). Differences in any mental illness, mood, and anxiety diagnoses were assessed using multilevel regressions (adjusted for demographics, payor, comorbidities, facility). Adjusted predicted probabilities were constructed.Among alcohol-related discharges, probabilities of non-Hispanic Native Americans and non-Hispanic Whites receiving any mental illness diagnoses in Arizona were 18.0% (95% CI=16.1, 19.9) and 36.8% (95% CI=34.1, 39.5), respectively; in New Mexico, they were 24.5% (95% CI=20.7, 28.3) and 43.4% (95% CI=38.7, 48.1). Oklahoma's probabilities for Native Americans and Whites were 30.7% (95% CI=27.4, 34.0) and 36.8% (95% CI=33.5, 40.2), respectively. Among nicotine-related discharges, any mental illness diagnosis probabilities for non-Hispanic Native Americans and non-Hispanic Whites in Arizona were 21.2% (95% CI=18.9, 23.5) and 33.1% (95% CI=30.3, 35.9), respectively; in New Mexico, they were 25.9% (95% CI=22.7, 29.1) and 37.4% (95% CI=33.8, 40.9). Oklahoma's probabilities for Native Americans and Whites were 27.3% (95% CI=25.1, 29.6) and 30.2% (95% CI=28.0, 32.4), respectively. Mood and anxiety diagnoses were also significantly lower for non-Hispanic Native Americans in Arizona/New Mexico and Native Americans in Oklahoma.Findings suggest disparate underdiagnosis of mental illness among Native Americans hospitalized with alcohol/nicotine use disorders in the examined states.
• Solomon, T. G. (2022).
  1. The Generational Impact Of Racism On Health: Voices From American Indian Communities: Study examines the generational impact of racism on the health of American Indian communities and people.
  . Health Affairs, 41(2), 281-288. doi:10.1377//hlthaff.2021.01419
• Arambula Solomon, T. G., Jones, D., Laurila, K., Ritchey, J., Cordova-Marks, F. M., Hunter, A. U., & Villanueva, B. (2021). Using the Community Readiness Model to Assess American Indian Communities Readiness to Address Cancer Prevention and Control Programs. Journal of cancer education : the official journal of the American Association for Cancer Education.
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  Cancer disparities continue among American Indian and Alaska Native (AI/AN) populations while they have decreased among other racial and ethnic groups. No studies were found that utilized the Community Readiness Model (CRM) to ascertain the readiness of Tribal and American Indian organizations to participate in cancer research and cancer prevention and control initiatives. The Partnership for Native American Cancer Prevention conducted an assessment of the status of American Indian communities' readiness to implement activities for prevention, early detection, and treatment to improve AI/AN cancer rates. The assessment was a component of the Community Outreach Core of the grant. Thirty-four key Informants participated in the interview process. The Community Readiness Assessment (CRA) provided a baseline assessment of community partners' readiness to participate in cancer research and programming. Despite years of cancer intervention programs, the communities were classified as being in the early stages of readiness [1-5] of the nine-stage model. Additionally, findings showed low levels of awareness of previous or ongoing cancer research. The findings in prevention and control efforts indicated a need for technical assistance and funding to support community projects in prevention and control. This supported the implementation of a community grants initiative. They also indicated that communities were not ready to conduct research, despite ongoing cancer related research in at least two communities. Communication tools and social media methods and messages were developed to increase awareness of cancer as a health concern and cancer research in the community. The CRM informed these and other engagement activities to meet the appropriate stage of readiness for each Tribe/community, and to build their capacity to participate in cancer research and programming activities.
• Cunningham, J. K., Scott, D. P., Molina, F. F., & Solomon, T. G. (2021). Services and Challenges at a Native American Residential Substance Use Disorder Treatment Center during the COVID-19 Pandemic. Journal for the Health Care of the Poor and Underserved.
• Satter, D. E., Mercer Kollar, L. M., , P. H., & O'Gara 'Djik Sook', D. (2021). American Indian and Alaska Native Knowledge and Public Health for the Primary Prevention of Missing or Murdered Indigenous Persons. Department of Justice journal of federal law and practice, 69(2), 149-188.
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  Violence against American Indian and Alaska Native (AIAN) women, children, two-spirit individuals, men, and elders is a serious public health issue. Violence may result in death (homicide), and exposure to violence has lasting effects on the physical and mental health of individuals, including depression and anxiety, substance abuse, chronic and infectious diseases, and life opportunities, such as educational attainment and employment. All communities are affected by some form of violence, but some are at an increased risk because of intergenerational, structural, and social factors that influence the conditions in communities where people live, learn, work, and play. Using a violence prevention public health approach, we discuss the role public health can play in addressing and preventing the prevalence of missing or murdered indigenous persons (MMIP). This paper is written as a public health primer and includes a selective overview of public health and Native public health research. It also includes case studies and Native experts' reflections and suggestions regarding the use of public health knowledge and theory, as well as Native knowledge and cultural practices to combat violence. An effective public health prevention approach is facilitated by complex, contextual knowledge of communities and people, including individual and community risk factors, as well as protective factors in strengthening Native communities and preventing MMIP. Public health promotes and protects the health of people and the communities where they live, learn, work, and play. To prevent violence, public health seeks to create safe, stable, and nurturing relationships and environments for all people. MMIP affects communities, families, and loved ones, and its victims may be women and girls, children, men, two-spirit individuals, and elders. Violence is defined as "the intentional use of physical force or power, threatened or actual, against oneself, another person, or against a group or community, that either results in or has a high likelihood of resulting in injury, death, psychological harm, maldevelopment, or deprivation." Violence, including adverse childhood experiences (ACEs), has a lasting impact on health, spanning injury, disease outcomes, risk behaviors, maternal and child health, mental health problems, and death. This paper serves as a public health primer to prevent MMIP. MMIP context is provided by weaving public health, research, and applied examples from AIAN experts, best practices in public health, and legal approaches using traditional wisdom and culture. Woven throughout the text, author perspectives are provided as applied examples to contextualize and complement the topics raised based on the individual experiences of several authors.
• Villanueva, B., Hunter, A. U., Cordova-Marks, F., Ritchey, J., Laurila, K., Jones, D., & Solomon, T. G. (2021). Using the Community Readiness Model to Assess American Indian Communities Readiness to Address Cancer Prevention and Control Programs. Journal of Cancer Education. doi:10.1007/s13187-021-02100-4
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  Cancer disparities continue among American Indian and Alaska Native (AI/AN) populations while they have decreased among other racial and ethnic groups. An assessment of the status of American Indian communities' readiness to implement activities for prevention, early detection, and treatment to improve AI/AN cancer rates. Thirty-four key Informants participated in the interview process. The Community Readiness Assessment (CRA) provided a baseline assessment of community partners' readiness to participate in cancer research and programming. The CRM informed engagement activities to meet the appropriate stage of readiness for each Tribe/community.
• Cunningham, J. K., Solomon, T. G., Ritchey, J., & Cunningham, J. K. (2020). With socioeconomic status controlled, cigarette use is lower among American Indians/Alaska Natives than whites.. Drug and alcohol dependence, 211, 107836. doi:10.1016/j.drugalcdep.2020.107836
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  Higher crude prevalence of cigarette use among American Indians/Alaska Natives (AI/AN) than non-Hispanic whites (NHW) has helped engender an assumption that race/ethnicity explains the difference. This study examines whether being AI/AN versus NHW predicts greater use when socioeconomic status and demographics are controlled..Data came from the National Survey on Drug Use and Health (2013-2017). Using logistic regressions with socioeconomic (income, education) and demographic (gender, age, marital status) controls, differences between AI/AN (n = 4,305) and NHW (n = 166,348) regarding heavier cigarette use (past month daily use, past month use of 300+ cigarettes, and nicotine dependence) and current cigarette use (past month use plus 100+ cigarettes in lifetime) were assessed. Adjusted predicted probabilities were also constructed..NHW, compared to AI/AN, had greater odds of daily use: adjusted odds ratio (AOR) = 1.23 (95% CI: 1.03-1.49); predicted probabilities-15.3% and 13.0%, respectively. NHW had greater odds of using 300+ cigarettes: AOR = 1.47 (CI: 1.19-1.83); predicted probabilities-13.6% and 9.9%. NHW had greater odds of being nicotine dependent: AOR = 1.57 (CI: 1.31-1.89); predicted probabilities-10.3% and 7.1%. A difference in current use was not found. As controls, income and education were especially impactful..With controls, particularly for socioeconomic status, heavier cigarette use was lower among AI/AN than NHW, and a current cigarette use difference was not indicated. This contradicts the idea that being AI/AN versus NHW independently predicts greater cigarette use, and it underscores the importance of socioeconomic status for understanding cigarette use among AI/AN.
• Cunningham, J. K., Cordova, F. M., Solomon, T. G., & Ritchey, J. (2019). Cigarette Use Among American Indians and Alaska Natives in Metropolitan Areas, Rural Areas, and Tribal Lands. Journal of Public Health Management and Practice, 25, S11=S19. doi:10.1097/phh.0000000000001026
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  Cigarette use among the US general population is significantly lower in metropolitan areas than in rural areas.To assess whether cigarette use among American Indians and Alaska Natives (AI/AN) is lower in metropolitan areas than in rural areas and tribal lands (which are predominantly rural).Data came from the National Survey on Drug Use and Health (2012-2016). Regressions with adjustments for demographics were performed to assess whether cigarette use differed in association with type of place.The AI/AN in tribal lands (n = 1569), nontribal large metropolitan (1+ million people) areas (n = 582), nontribal small metropolitan (
• Cunningham, J. K., Solomon, T. G., Ritchey, J., & Cordova-Marks, F. (2019). Use among American Indians and Alaska Natives in Metropolitan Places, Rural Places, and Tribal Lands. Journal of Public Health Management and Practice, 25(25), s11-s19.
• Morgan, W., Solomon, T., Lowe, A. A., Bender, B., Liu, A. H., Kobernick, A., & Gerald, L. B. (2018). Environmental Concerns for Children with Asthma on the Navajo Nation. Annals of the American Thoracic Society, 15(6), 745-753. doi:10.1513/annalsats.201708-674ps
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  Navajo children living on the reservation have high rates of asthma prevalence and severity. Environmental influences may contribute to asthma on the Navajo Nation and are inadequately understood.We performed a comprehensive, integrative literature review to determine the environmental factors that may contribute to increased asthma prevalence and severity among Navajo children living on the reservation.A systematic search was conducted in four databases regarding the environmental risk factors for asthma in Navajo children living on the reservation. Relevant studies between 1990 and 2017 were examined. Nonexperimental literature was also integrated into the review to describe the environmental injustices that have historically, disproportionately, and systematically affected the Navajo people, thus contributing to respiratory disparities among Navajo children.Eight studies met inclusion criteria for systematic review; however, limited research regarding environmental risk factors specific to asthma and Navajo children living on the reservation was identified. Our integrative review indicated both indoor and outdoor environmental risk factors commonly found on the Navajo reservation appear to be important determinants of asthma.Future research should examine indoor and outdoor air pollution from wood-burning stoves and cook stoves, coal combustion, tobacco and traditional ceremonial smoke, diesel exhaust exposure from long bus rides, indoor allergens, ambient pollutants, and regional dusts. Comprehensive mitigation efforts created in partnership with the Navajo Nation are necessary to address less-recognized risk factors as well as the common risk factors known to contribute to increased childhood asthma prevalence and severity.
• Solomon, T. G., Gerald, L. B., Morgan, W. J., Lowe, A. A., Bender, B., Liu, A. H., & Kobernick, A. (2018). Environmental concerns for children with asthma on the Navajo Nation. Annals of American Thoracic Society, 15(6), 745-753.
• Cordova, F. M., Garcia, F. A., & Solomon, T. G. (2017). What's Killing Our Children? Child and Infant Mortality among American Indians and Alaska Natives. NAM perspectives. doi:10.31478/201703b
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  This discussion paper uses the lens of infant and childhood mortality as a tool to recognize opportunities for action that could have an impact on a critical indicator of the health of Native children. It presents lived experiences of reservation and urban Indian communities as useful tools for broader policy and health system change.
• Gerald, L. B., Morgan, W. J., Kobernick, A., Solomon, T. G., Liu, A. H., Bender, B., & Lowe, A. A. (2017). Environmental concerns for children with asthma on the Navajo Nation. Annals of American Thoracic Society.
• Muramoto, M. L., Solomon, T. G., & Cunningham, J. A. (2017). Alcohol use among Native Americans compared to whites: Examining the veracity of the ‘Native American elevated alcohol consumption’ belief. Drug and Alcohol Dependence. doi:10.1016/j.drugalcdep.2016.08.148
• Solomon, T. G. (2017). What’s Killing our children? Child and infant mortality among American Indians and Alaska Natives.. Institutes of Medicine, 1-9.
• Solomon, T. G., Garcia, F., & Cordova, F. M. (2017). What’s Killing our children? Child and infant mortality among American Indians and Alaska Natives. Institutes of Medicine.. Institutes of Medicine, 1-9.
• Solomon, T. G., Harris, D. J., Peaches, E., & Yonnie, K. (2017). A Call to Heal. You Tube.
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  Developed with AIRCH students to support cross-cultural training and in response to stereotypes of AIAN. Published on the NARTC youtube channel, used in NACP cross cultural training.
• Cunningham, J. K., Solomon, T. A., & Muramoto, M. L. (2016). Alcohol use among Native Americans compared to whites: Examining the veracity of the 'Native American elevated alcohol consumption' belief. Drug and alcohol dependence, 160, 65-75.
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  This study uses national survey data to examine the veracity of the longstanding belief that, compared to whites, Native Americans (NA) have elevated alcohol consumption.
• Muramoto, M. L., Solomon, T. G., & Cunningham, J. A. (2016). Alcohol use among Native Americans compared to whites: Examining the veracity of the ‘Native American elevated alcohol consumption’ belief. Drug and Alcohol Dependence. doi:10.1016/j.drugalcdep.2015.12.015
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  This study uses national survey data to examine the veracity of the longstanding belief that, compared to whites, Native Americans (NA) have elevated alcohol consumption.The primary data source was the National Survey on Drug Use and Health (NSDUH) from 2009 to 2013: whites (n=171,858) and NA (n=4,201). Analyses using logistic regression with demographic covariate adjustment were conducted to assess differences in the odds of NA and whites being alcohol abstinent, light/moderate drinkers (no binge/heavy consumption), binge drinkers (5+ drinks on an occasion 1-4 days), or heavy drinkers (5+ drinks on an occasion 5+ days) in the past month. Complementary alcohol abstinence, light/moderate drinking and excessive drinking analyses were conducted using Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS) data from 2011 to 2013: whites (n=1,130,658) and NA (n=21,589).In the NSDUH analyses, the majority of NA, 59.9% (95% CI: 56.7-63.1), abstained, whereas a minority of whites, 43.1% (CI: 42.6-43.6), abstained-adjusted odds ratio (AOR): 0.64 (CI: 0.56-0.73). Approximately 14.5% (CI: 12.0-17.4) of NA were light/moderate-only drinkers, versus 32.7% (CI: 32.2-33.2) of whites (AOR: 1.90; CI: 1.51-2.39). NA and white binge drinking estimates were similar-17.3% (CI: 15.0-19.8) and 16.7% (CI: 16.4-17.0), respectively (AOR: 1.00; CI: 0.83-1.20). The two populations' heavy drinking estimates were also similar-8.3% (CI: 6.7-10.2) and 7.5% (CI: 7.3-7.7), respectively (AOR: 1.06; CI: 0.85-1.32). Results from the BRFSS analyses generally corroborated those from NSDUH.In contrast to the 'Native American elevated alcohol consumption' belief, Native Americans compared to whites had lower or comparable rates across the range of alcohol measures examined.
• Solomon, T. G., & Cunningham, J. K. (2017). Alcohol Use in Tribal and Non-Tribal Areas: A National Survey of Native Americans. Drug and Alcohol Dependence.
• Solomon, T. G., Cunningham, J. K., & Cordova-Marks, F. (2018). Diaspora and Daily Cigarette Use among American Indians/Alaska natives: Two National Surveys. Addiction.
• Strickland, C. J., Solomon, T. G., Palacios, J. F., & Haozous, E. A. (2014). Blood politics, ethnic identity, and racial misclassification among American Indians and Alaska Natives.. Journal of environmental and public health, 2014, 321604. doi:10.1155/2014/321604
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  Misclassification of race in medical and mortality records has long been documented as an issue in American Indian/Alaska Native data. Yet, little has been shared in a cohesive narrative which outlines why misclassification of American Indian/Alaska Native identity occurs. The purpose of this paper is to provide a summary of the current state of the science in racial misclassification among American Indians and Alaska Natives. We also provide a historical context on the importance of this problem and describe the ongoing political processes that both affect racial misclassification and contribute to the context of American Indian and Alaska Native identity.
• Solomon, T. G. (2012). Facilitating the success of native investigators in research careers. Fourth World Journal, 11(2), 105+.
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  Native people worldwide have long experienced health status worse than that of the non-Native population. Native Americans experience higher rates of disease than other non-Native populations across many areas of health, including diabetes, HIV/AIDS, certain cancers, mental health, and substance use. Factors known to contribute to health status and disparities are complex, and may include multiple social, economic, environmental, and biological factors. Unfamiliarity with our complex health care system may adversely influence health status and also may reduce the acceptability of health research. However, a history of unethical research practices, inaccurate interpretation of findings, and little change in the health status among Native people has created an environment of distrust of research and researchers by Native communities. Building the capacity of Native communities to develop and implement their own research programs and by involving Native researchers as lead investigators could help repair trust relationships in research leading to a reduction in health disparities.
• Wingo, P. A., Tucker, M. J., Thierry, J., Solomon, T. G., Smith, R. A., Ravello, L. D., Lesesne, C. A., & Espey, D. K. (2012). Geographic variation in trends and characteristics of teen childbearing among American Indians and Alaska Natives, 1990-2007.. Maternal and child health journal, 16(9), 1779-90. doi:10.1007/s10995-011-0924-4
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  To study teen birth rates, trends, and socio-demographic and pregnancy characteristics of AI/AN across geographic regions in the US. The birth rate for US teenagers 15-19 years reached a historic low in 2009 (39.1 per 1,000) and yet remains one of the highest teen birth rates among industrialized nations. In the US, teen birth rates among Hispanic, non-Hispanic black, and American Indian/Alaska Native (AI/AN) youth are consistently two to three times the rate among non-Hispanic white teens. Birth certificate data for females younger than age 20 were used to calculate birth rates (live births per 1,000 women) and joinpoint regression to describe trends in teen birth rates by age (
• Solomon, T. G., Marshall, L., Jim, M. A., Cravatt, K., Cobb, N., Campbell, J. E., & Bliss, A. (2008). Lung cancer incidence among American Indians and Alaska Natives in the United States, 1999-2004.. Cancer, 113(5 Suppl), 1168-78. doi:10.1002/cncr.23738
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  Lung cancer incidence rates among American Indians and Alaska Natives (AI/ANs) in the United States have not been described well, primarily because of race misclassification and, until the 1990s, incomplete coverage of their population by cancer registries. Smoking, the predominant cause of lung cancer, is particularly prevalent among this population..Data from the National Program of Cancer Registries and the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results Program were combined to estimate age-adjusted incidence rates of lung cancer during 1999 through 2004. Cases were linked to Indian Health Service (IHS) registration databases to identify AI/ANs whose race may have been misclassified. Age-adjusted rates were calculated for Contract Health Service Delivery Area (CHSDA) counties and for all counties by IHS region, and comparisons were made between AI/ANs and non-Hispanic whites (NHWs)..Among populations living in CHSDA counties, NHWs overall had higher rates of lung cancer than AI/ANs. However, the rates (per 100,000 population) among AI/ANs varied substantially between IHS regions from 14.9 (Southwest) to 87.1 (Southern Plains), 93.2 (Alaska), and 104.3 (Northern Plains). Approximately 41.6% of AI/AN lung cancer cases were diagnosed before age 65 years compared with approximately 29.8% of NHW lung cancer cases. The overall percentage stage distribution was not different between AI/ANs and NHWs. Squamous cell carcinomas were slightly more common and adenocarcinomas were less common among AI/ANs than among NHWs. Lung cancer rates were not decreasing for AI/ANs as they were for NHWs..Data from this study clarified the need for culturally appropriate tobacco prevention and control policies and resources for AI/ANs in all regions, and especially in the Plains and Alaska.
• Wingo, P. A., Swan, J., Solomon, T. G., King, J. B., Kaur, J. S., Jackson-thompson, J., Erb-alvarez, J. A., & Coughlin, S. S. (2008). Breast cancer incidence among American Indian and Alaska Native women: US, 1999-2004.. Cancer, 113(5 Suppl), 1191-202. doi:10.1002/cncr.23725
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  Breast cancer is a leading cause of cancer morbidity and mortality among American Indian and Alaska Native (AI/AN) women. Although published studies have suggested that breast cancer rates among AI/AN women are lower than those among other racial and ethnic populations, accurate determinations of the breast cancer burden have been hampered by misclassification of AI/AN race..Cancer incidence data from the National Program of Cancer Registries and the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results Program were combined to estimate age-adjusted rates for the diagnosis years 1999 through 2004. Several steps were taken to reduce the misclassification of AI/AN race: linking cases to Indian Health Service (IHS) patient services database, restricting analyses to Contract Health Service Delivery Area counties, and stratifying results by IHS region..Breast cancer incidence rates among AI/AN women varied nearly 3-fold across IHS regions. The highest rates were in Alaska (134.8) and the Plains (Northern, 115.9; Southern, 115.7), and the lowest rates were in the Southwest (50.8). The rate in Alaska was similar to the rate among non-Hispanic white (NHW) women in Alaska. Overall, AI/AN women had lower rates of breast cancer than NHW women, but AI/AN women were more likely to be diagnosed with late-stage disease..To the authors' knowledge, this report provides the most comprehensive breast cancer incidence data for AI/AN women to date. The wide regional variation indicates an important need for etiologic and health services research, and the large percentage of AI/AN women with late-stage disease demands innovative approaches for increasing access to screening.
• Gottlieb, N. H., & Solomon, T. G. (2001). Sociodemographic and Health Care System Factors Influencing Cervical Cancer Screening among Young American Indian Women. Wíčazo Ša Review, 16(1), 31-46. doi:10.1353/wic.2001.0011
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  Age-adjusted cervical cancer mortality rates (Indian Health Service 1997) are higher for women in the Oklahoma Indian Health Service (IHS) area (3.3 per 100,000) than for the general U.S. female population (2.5 per 100,000). But reported rates may not provide a complete picture of the problem due to underreporting of Indian race on death certificates (ibid.). With an adjustment for misclassification, the rate increases to 4.9 per 100,000, almost twice that of the general U.S. female population. Through Papanicolaou (Pap) test screening and appropriate > treatment, virtually 100% of those deaths could be prevented. Women in the United States least likely to receive screenings are generally poor, elderly, and/or of ethnic minorities. They are generally over the age of 50 and no longer seeking gynecological care. However, data from the National Cancer Institute's Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results 3 31 (SEER) program indicate that the incidence of invasive cervical cancer in white women under age 50, reversing its previous downward trend, has been increasing about 3% a year since 1986 (Larsen 1994). The cervical cancer incidence rate for white women under 50 was 5.9 per 100,000 in 1990 compared to 5.4 per 100,000 in 1986. Some believe the increase is due to an increase in Human Papilloma Virus (HPV)
• Kelsey, E., Gottlieb, N. H., Solomon, T. G., & Roberts-Gray, C. (1998). Heart Partners:A Strategy for Promoting Effective Diffusion of School Health Promotion Programs. Journal of School Health, 68(3), 106-110. doi:10.1111/j.1746-1561.1998.tb03493.x
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  Heart Partners uses a straightforward, interpersonal approach to increase acceptance and use of innovations in school health promotion. In accord with the linkage model of innovation diffusion, developers of a new program or technology (i.e., resource system) simply designate and train selected members to be recruiters and allies of individual advocates at the campus-level (i.e., user system). Linkage is supported by supplying advocates and allies with guidelines and materials that encourage ongoing, interactive, interpersonal partnerships to promote effective implementation of the new technology at the school. Empirical assessment of this simple strategy implemented by the Texas Affiliate of the American Heart Association showed a twofold to fourfold increase in actual use and reach of school health promotion packages, with an average reported volunteer time of less than three hours per month.

Presentations

• Solomon, T. G., Patrick, G., A, A., & Diana, C. (2022, October 26).
  1. How Can CER Help Address Structural Discrimination?
  . 2022 PCORI Annual Meeting. Virtual: PCORI.
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  Panelist on effect of systemic discrimination and effect on AIAN health.
• Solomon, T. G. (2021, March 29). Structural Racism, Discrimination, and Cancer among the American Indian Population.. American Society of Preventive Oncology Annual Meeting.. Webinar: ASPO.
• Cunningham, J. K., Solomon, T. G., & Ritchey, J. (2019, February). NA Cigarette Use in Metropolitan, Rural and Tribal Areas. 2019 Winter Institute and Tribal Forum. Tucson: Native American Research and Training Center.
• Solomon, T. G. (2019, February). Key Concerns in Research and Building Partnerships. 2019 Winter Institute and Tribal Forum. Tucson: Native American Research and Training Center.
• Solomon, T. G. (2019, February). Projects of the Native American Research & Training Center (NARTC). 2019 Winter Institute and Tribal Forum. Tucson: Native American Research and Training Center.
• Solomon, T. G. (2019, September). A Comparison of Epidemiology Centers and Research Centers. Cherokee County Health Services meeting. Tahlequah, OK: Cherokee County Health Services.
• Solomon, T. G. (2019, april). Cancer and the Corn Maiden. National Association of Chronic Disease Directors. Cancer Screening Capacity Building Workshop. San Diego: CDC.
• Tsosie, B., Gonzales, P., & Solomon, T. G. (2019, FEbruary). Healing Through the Giveaway: Traditional Concepts of Gifting. 2019 Winter Institute and Tribal Forum. Tucson: Native American Research and training Center.
• Solomon, T. G. (2018, May). The Role of CBPR in Tribal Communities: Cancer Prevention and Control.. National Indian Health Board. Prior Lake, MN: National Indian Health Board.
• Gerald, L. B., Nez, P., Morgan, W. J., Kobernick, A., Solomon, T. G., Liu, A., Bender, B., & Lowe, A. (2017, October). Asthma severity determinants and needs assessment in children living on the Navajo Nation: A pilot study. Navajo Nation Human Research Review Board Conference. Window Rock, AZ: Navajo Nation Human Research Review Board.
• Solomon, T. G. (2017, March 30). Milagritos: The Power to do Great things with Small Efforts in Health Training and Research. Faculty Symposium. University of Oklahoma: College of PUblic Health.
• Solomon, T. G. (2017, May). Data Sovereignty. Regional AIAN Trial Dialogue Conference. Chandler, AZ: NIH All of Us Research Program on Precision Medicine.
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  Facilitation of small group discussion on data sovereignty
• Solomon, T. G. (2017, October 11). NACP Outreach Core. Cancer Prevention and Control Seminar. Tucson, AZ: Arizona Cancer Center.
• Solomon, T. G. (2017, October 17). The Precision Medicine Initiative. 5th Alaska Native Health Research conference. Anchorage, Alaska: Alaska Native Tribal Health Consortium and Southcentral Foundation.
• Solomon, T. G. (2017, October 21). Culture is the Cure. Gathering of Good Minds: Engaging Native Americans in Wellness. Palm Desert, CA: University of CA, Riverside.
• Solomon, T. G., Kahn-John, M., Antone, C., & Miguel, F. (2017, February). The Journey of a Message: The Cultural Wisdom Declaration. NARTC Winter Institute. UA Tucson AZ: Native American Research and Training Center.
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  Presentation on the Cultural Wisdom Declaration for NA science.
• Solomon, T. G. (2015, April). Recommendations from Urban American Indians Regarding Recruitment to a Clinical Trial”. Institute of Medicine: Strategies for Ensuring Diversity, Inclusion and Meaningful Participation in Clinical Trials. IOM Roundtable on the Promotion of Health Equity and the Elimination of Health Disparities. Washington DC: Institutes of Medicine.
• Solomon, T. G. (2015, August). Promoting Indigenous Knowledge and Inspiring Indigenous Health Research, Scholarship and Leadership. Association of American Indian Physicians, Annual Conference. Tulalip, WA: Association of American Indian Physicians.
• Solomon, T. G. (2015, July). Conducting Research with Native American Communities. NACP Summer Research Conference. Westin La Paloma, Tucson, AZ: Partnership for Native American Cancer Prevention.
• Solomon, T. G. (2015, March). Cancer Research and Training. Mayo Clinic Spirit of EAGLES program.. National Cancer Institute. Shady Grove, MD: Mayo Clinic/NCI.
• Solomon, T. G. (2015, May). Promoting Indigenous Knowledge and Inspiring Indigenous Health Research, Scholarship and Leadership. Native American Interest Group, Veterans Administration and Indian Health Service, National Webinar. Webinar: Indian Health Service.
• Solomon, T. G. (2015, October). Promoting Indigenous Knowledge and Inspiring Indigenous Health Research, Scholarship and Leadership. Johns Hopkins School of Public Health, Kennedy Krieger Institute: CFAR Group Meeting. Bethesda, MD: Johns Hopkins School of Public Health Kennedy Krieger Institute.
• Solomon, T. G., & Kelly, C. G. (2015, October). Using Social Media Platforms to Increase American Indian Student Engagement in STEM Fields. Native American Research Centers for Health Annual Meeting at the Society for the Advancement of Chicanos and Native Americans in Science. Washington, DC: Indian Health Service/National Institute of General Medical Science.
• Solomon, T. G., & Solomon, T. G. (2015, March). NARTC: Weaving Research, Teaching and Service. NARTC Winter Institute, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ.
• Solomon, T. G., Gachupin, F. C., Bea, J. W., & Koithan, M. S. (2015, March). Cancer care disparities among Native American populations. UA College of Nursing Health Equity Research Seminar Series..
• Solomon, T. G., Koithan, M. S., Flores, M., & Pool, N. (2015, October). Conducting Research with Native American Communities”.. American Association of Cancer Educators International Conference. La Ventana Resort, Tucson, AZ: American Association of Cancer Educators.

Others

• Cordova-Marks, F., Solomon, T. G., Garba, I., J, G., & Peaches, E. (2019, oct). Spotlight on American Indians in Arizona. American Indians in Arizona. In. https://files.eric.ed.gov/fulltext/ED599276.pdf
• Solomon, T. G., & Kelly, C. G. (2016, February). Words of Wisdom, Native American Perspectives on the Health Professions: A Journal..
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  Interviews were conducted with Native American role models (health and science researchers and health care providers). Videos were reviewed for key quotes that were meaningful to a team of NA doctoral students to encourage persistence and progression in education. The quotes, were attached to pictures of the role models and images from NA artists and others. The journal has blank pages to allow the students to document their feelings, progress and journey through their academic career.
• Solomon, T. G., Smith, N., & Perez, J. S. (2015, august). Plants that Heal: Conserving Indigenous Knowledge.
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  This booklet helps conserve Indigenous plant knowledge by providing a photo of a healing plant with its common name, traditional language name, scientific name, geographic planting zone, description, and medical uses presented in the Indigenous story teller method.