# Towards understanding the influence of greenspace and blue-space exposure mediated by culture-based human-nature interaction on onset of substance use among Indigenous youth.

> **NIH NIH R01** · JOHNS HOPKINS UNIVERSITY · 2022 · $83,845

## Abstract

PROJECT SUMMARY/ABSTRACT
Although Native Americans and First Nations (Indigenous) demonstrate high abstinence rates from alcohol, the
generations of trauma and oppression, ongoing systemic racism, COVID-19 pandemic-related consequences,
and drug companies disproportionately targeting Black, Indigenous, people of color (BIPOC) communities have
created the perfect storm for alcohol- and drug-induced deaths. In 2020, Native Americans experienced the
highest drug-related mortality rate compared to all other US populations and in previous years experienced
alcohol-induced mortality rates that were 6.6 times higher than US All Races. These alarming statistics and
pervasive attacks warrant investigation of promising protective factors that demonstrate mitigation of substance
misuse and related risk factors among Indigenous youth, and that can be scaled up and across Indigenous
communities as part of future intervention research.
The traditional ecological knowledge (TEK) framework provides theoretical rationale for the proposed study.
This framework posits cultural and spiritual mechanisms operate between activities in the natural environment
and human health among Indigenous peoples. Tribal leaders and Native scholars continue to elevate and
apply practices and research supported by the TEK framework with promising findings that culture- and
tradition-based practices often occurring in nature confer protection against substance misuse, among other
deleterious health consequences. In addition, research across several countries has demonstrated residential
greenspace and blue-space exposures have protective effects against risk factors (e.g., internalizing and
externalizing problem behaviors) for substance misuse and developing a substance use disorder.
This Diversity Supplement will study exposure to the natural environment by participant’s residence, measured
as greenspace (forests) and blue-space exposure (lakes) derived from Moderate Resolution Imaging
Spectroradiometer, and determine 1) the association between residential exposure to nature and land- and
water-based traditional and ceremonial activities (ricing, berry-picking, gathering medicine) and 2) examine the
direct and indirect influence of both natural environment exposure and frequency of nature-based ceremonial
activities on substance use (nicotine, alcohol, marijuana) onset and trajectories among Indigenous youth, ages
10-15 years. We will apply a linear regression multilevel model and longitudinal latent growth curve analyses
structural equation models to answer study hypotheses using Waves 1-3, and 5 of the Healing Pathways
longitudinal dataset.
This quantitative study will yield findings that specify what (e.g., berry-picking, attended sweat), when (e.g., age
of participation) and how much (e.g., activity type count and continuity, residential green and blue-space
exposure) of the respective protective exposures separately and combined might protect against early onset of
substance use...

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10591941
- **Project number:** 3R01DA039912-08S1
- **Recipient organization:** JOHNS HOPKINS UNIVERSITY
- **Principal Investigator:** Kelley Sittner
- **Activity code:** R01 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2022
- **Award amount:** $83,845
- **Award type:** 3
- **Project period:** 2016-04-15 → 2026-05-31

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10591941

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10591941, Towards understanding the influence of greenspace and blue-space exposure mediated by culture-based human-nature interaction on onset of substance use among Indigenous youth. (3R01DA039912-08S1). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-25 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10591941. Licensed CC0.

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