UMaine Extension to Provide Dietary Guidance for Passamaquoddy Tribe
Contact: Alan Majka, (207) 622-7546; Aimee Dolloff, (207) 581-3777
Tribal members who live on the Passamaquoddy Indian Township Reservation in Washington County now have access to a registered dietitian through University of Maine Cooperative Extension.
The nearly $60,000 in funding was allocated to UMaine Cooperative Extension by the Passamaquoddy Indian Township Tribal Government. The Passamaquoddy Indian Township health center receives funds for the project from Indian Health Service, an agency within the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, the Special Supplemental Food Program for Women Infants and Children (WIC), a program administered by USDA, and medical insurance received through health center billing.
Like other American Indians, members of the Passamaquoddy Tribe suffer from high rates of diabetes, cancer and heart disease, all of which result in disability, shorter life spans and enormous expense.
The remote geographic location of the Indian Township Reservation means that many have to drive long distances for specialized medical services and stores with a variety of inexpensive nutritious foods, according to Alan Majka, UMaine Cooperative Extension assistant professor.
Other barriers to addressing the problem include a lack of adequate transportation, low incomes, shortages of qualified health personnel, prejudice, racism and cultural differences, says Majka.
He intends to use the $58,212 from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services to provide nutrition expertise through March 31, 2011 to help tribal members lower their risk for chronic disease through improved dietary and physical activity habits.
“I have a great working relationship with Passamaquoddy community members. I know them and they know they can trust me,” says Majka. “Not only can I help tribal members to prevent the onset of diseases like diabetes, I can help those who already have the disease to prevent amputations, blindness, heart disease and renal failure.”
Majka will provide culturally appropriate education at the elder meal site, school, daycare center, and other locations throughout the community. He also will help those who already have been diagnosed with health problems to lessen the effects of the conditions.
Before coming to UMaine in 2005, Majka coordinated a model diabetes program at Indian Township for a total of 10 years.
“UMaine Cooperative Extension makes every reasonable effort to reach out to minorities and other under-served groups, to provide practical education that’s focused on real life problems,” says Majka. “This will ultimately save taxpayer dollars while helping tribal members to live longer, healthier lives.”