Every community’s unique context impacts how an individual receives and acts on healthcare messages. In 2024, NACDD partnered with Kaiser Permanente Center for Health Research to engage the Great Plains Tribal Leaders’ Health Board, the South Puget Intertribal Planning Agency, and the American Indian Cancer Foundation about colorectal cancer awareness.

Supported by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, this partnership brought together American Indian community members to create relevant colorectal cancer screening messages and materials. When individuals see themselves reflected in health messages, they are more likely to take proactive steps to improve their health. In addition, recognizing the specific cultural, social, historical, linguistic, geographical, and economic context of each tribal community allows for the creation of materials that are uniquely effective for that community.

“We don’t talk about cancer, and we don’t talk about our bodies. It’s hard to find the right words. Sometimes we are embarrassed to talk about our body parts. Being embarrassed can be a matter of life or death. My Dad died of colon cancer. We need to talk about various health topics with family members and to educate one another,” noted a Community Health Worker who participated in the project.

Watch these moving videos to see just a sampling of what colorectal cancer health messages can look like when community members are invited to inform their creation.