Brain Injury Prevention Project, Fond du Lac Reservation

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Brain Injury Prevention Project, Fond du Lac
Reservation

• Holly Kostrzewski
• Injury Prevention Coordinator
• hollykostrzewski_at_fdlrez.com

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Fond du Lac Reservation

• Northeastern MN 20 miles west of Duluth, MN.
• One of six Reservations inhabited by members of
  the Minnesota Chippewa Tribe. 
• 1,800 tribal members within reservation
  boundaries
• 2,100 tribal members living in Duluth

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Background

• Traumatic brain injuries (TBI) are a major cause
  of disability among Native Americans.
• The leading causes of hospitalizations for TBI
  are motor vehicle crashes (24), assaults (17),
  and falls (16).
• Rates of TBI among males are 2.5 times greater
  than females.

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Goal

• Produce a brain injury prevention educational
  campaign for the Fond du Lac Community
  based on input from health care providers and
  community residents.

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Methods

• 13 key informant interviews
• 5 focus groups
• Collaborations

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What is a Brain Injury?
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Perception of Community Prevalence
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Perception of Community Prevalence
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Perception of Causes
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Perception of Causes
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Preference in Obtaining Information
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Preference in Obtaining Information
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Perception of Risk
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Results

• 8 individual brochures
• Fetal Alcohol Syndrome reoccurring subject for
  community (misconception)
• Lack of interest in reading
• 2 PowerPoint presentations
• Community
• Professional
• Pilot test - changes made

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Recommendations

• Enhance Injury Prevention Program
• Individual Presentations on 8 topics
• Data collection on brain injuries
• Min No Aya Win Magazine
• THINK FIRST chapter