Building on Tradition: Promoting Physical Activity with American Indian Community Coalitions

The native people of California's north coast are building upon the strength of their cultural traditions to regain and promote healthy lifestyles. This cultural health and mobilization program is designed to increase physical activity among the local tribal population and reduce the incidence of diabetes and cardiovascular disease. In this article we describe how community coalitions were formed, implemented, and maintained to teach culturally appropriate fitness activities to groups of community members. We examine the details of development of the coalitions, as well as examples of cultural fitness events for American Indian communities. Successful institutionalization of community events by tribal governments and American Indian agencies resulted in ongoing support in various communities for events that promote physical activity. Circumstances relating to low participation rates in some coalitions are discussed. This program presents a prevention strategy framework that is based on values inherent in traditional native cultures. Organization of community coalitions is an effective way to promote physical activity.