Professor Dr. Felicia Cavallini, Former Student Kaitlyn Thompson Have Research Published Regarding Indigenous Population Healthcare

Limestone University recently announced the publication of its first scholarly research focused on Native American health disparities, highlighting the persistent barriers Indigenous populations face in accessing adequate healthcare.

Published in the April edition of the American Journal of Public Health Research, the article titled “Breaking Barriers to Indigenous Healthcare: The Need, Background, and Solutions to Native American Health Accessibility” is a comprehensive review that examines systemic gaps and culturally rooted solutions for improving Native American health outcomes.

The manuscript was co-authored by Dr. Felicia Cavallini, Professor of Kinesiology at Limestone, and Kaitlyn Thompson, a 2024 graduate and recipient of the Excellence in Human Movement Studies Award. Thompson, a Florida native and descendant of the Blackfoot Native American tribe, also excelled as a student-athlete on Limestone’s volleyball team.

The review outlines a wide range of health disparities disproportionately affecting Native communities, including higher rates of diabetes, obesity, substance abuse, suicide, cardiovascular disease, and mental health challenges compared to other ethnic groups. It also critiques the overreliance on Western medical frameworks that often marginalize traditional Indigenous healing practices.

“A significant barrier to health service access for Native Americans is the lack of providers trained to deliver culturally competent care,” Cavallini noted. “This disconnect often results in mistrust and underutilization of services.”

The authors further emphasize the impact of historical trauma, noting its link to mental health struggles such as Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), behavioral issues in youth, and substance dependence. The paper proposes a range of culturally informed and community-driven solutions as essential to addressing these disparities and improving the quality of life for Native populations.

The research outlined several potential solutions and strategies to address the concerns, including culturally relevant care, integration of traditional healing, addressing social determinants, technology solutions, increased funding and resources, and a community-based approach.

“Addressing the various healthcare disparities and systemic issues within the healthcare systems is a necessary step in revising and reforming Indigenous healthcare policies,” noted Cavallini, Limestone’s Program Director of Exercise Science and Human Movement Studies. “By recognizing the historical injustices and respecting cultural differences, policymakers and tribes can work hand in hand, creating a more effective system.”

Cavallini was awarded the prestigious, internationally distinguished Fulbright United States Scholar Grant for 2014-2015 as a Visiting Research Chair in the Human Health and Nutritional Sciences Department at the University of Guelph.