YCSC Viola Bernard Lecture: A Framework for Indigenous Health

Session Description

Numerous Indigenous populations worldwide suffer from similar health inequities, including higher rates of chronic diseases, behavioral health challenges, and social determinants of health disparities. Colonization has had an intergenerational impact on the health of Indigenous Peoples.

In this session, the roles of colonization and unresolved trauma on health disparities will be described, and the health protective effects of cultural connection, Indigenous language preservation, and participation in ceremony will be examined. Solutions to public health inequities need to recognize the causes of disparities and need to focus on developing strengths-based programs to promote health equity.

The learning objectives for this session are to:

• Define the terms American Indian, Alaska Native, Native American, and Indigenous
• Describe strengths-based approaches to Indigenous health
• Analyze the role of colonization as a determinant of generational trauma

Continuing Education

This session is approved for Continuing Education Credit (CEC) by the National Association of Social Workers, CT and meets the continuing education criteria for Social Work, Marriage & Family Therapist, Professional Counselor, and Licensed Psychologist Licensure renewal. Additional information and instructions for earning CEC for this session will be provided at the live event.

YCSC Grand Rounds are reviewed for eligibility for Continuing Medical Education (CME) credits on an annual basis and most lecture-style sessions are approved for the year. Yale School of Medicine is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME) to provide continuing medical education for physicians. Individual event designation details are provided at applicable live events.

Part of the Viola W. Bernard Fund for Innovation in Mental Health Care, the annual Viola Bernard Lecture Series addresses social justice and health care equity topics, named in honor of Viola Bernard, MD. YCSC Grand Rounds sessions are typically presented in the Cohen Auditorium at 1:00 p.m. on Tuesdays from September through June, with a live stream available via Zoom. Internal participants are encouraged to attend sessions in person​​​​​. Recordings are posted on-line as soon as they are available.