BAY MILLS - Inter-Tribal Council of Michigan's STEPS to a Healthier Anishnaabe will be conducting a personalized phone survey in the future. The Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System will be conducted from Oct. 7 until Nov. 31, 2006. Randomly selected tribal members will be called at their residence to participate.
The objective of the survey is to collect uniform, tribal-specific data on preventive health practices and risk behaviors that are linked to chronic diseases, injuries and preventable infectious diseases in the adult population. ITC will work with the Michigan State University Institute of Public Policy and Social Research to conduct the survey while encouraging sensitivity and respect. The survey is part of an ongoing effort to ensure tribal members throughout Michigan have fair representation in health status data collection.
The eight tribes participating in the STEPS program are: Bay Mills Indian Community, Grand Traverse Band of Ottawa and Chippewa Indians, Hannahville Indian Community, Huron Potawatomi Indian Community, Keweenaw Bay Indian Community, Little Traverse Bay Band of Odawa Indians, Saginaw Chippewa Indian Tribe, and the Sault Ste. Marie Tribe of Chippewa Indians.
Those who participate in this survey will provide many valuable benefits to their tribe. The participating tribes will be the first to be part of a customized multiple tribe data collection - the data will be useful when applying for grants, implementing health programs and interventions, and in determining how tribal health care systems are working. Anyone with questions concerning the BRFSS can contact BRFSS Manager, Lulu Bagnol or ITC Program Manager, Cathy Edgerly at 906-632-6896 or e-mail lulu@itcmi.org or cathye@itcmi.org
The Bay Mills Health Center in conjunction with the Steps to a Healthier Anishnaabe Grant is asking tribal members for their assistance.
"We realize that surveys are a hassle but when the time comes, we are requesting that you complete this phone survey on behalf of yourself and fellow tribal members," said Community Health Nurse Mary Elliott. "You may have received a call from surveyors last year and may be recalled again. Please do not hang up on these important people that are conducting this survey. This is extremely important to us and all information is completely confidential."
The total amount of surveys completed will influence the money granted to tribes in the future.
"It is of the utmost importance that all that can participate do so and if you know of any tribal member that has not heard about this survey, please pass this information on to them," said Elliott. "We greatly appreciate your valued time and apologize for any inconvenience."
