Influencing Indigenous Health Equity In Social Media Research & Medicine
色情视频-UCSD Joint Doctoral Program student tackles health disparities in American Indian and Alaska Native communities as a medical student and Ph.D. candidate.
Alec Calac of the Pauma Band of Luise帽o Indians doesn鈥檛 identify as an Indigenous Influencer per se. But his research on social media鈥檚 impact on tribal youth and health disparities among Indigenous populations and minority communities has captured national attention from influential leaders in academia, politics and medicine.
鈥淚鈥檓 always thinking about how my work can help my community and vice versa,鈥� said Calac, a fifth-year medical student and Ph.D. candidate in the 色情视频 (JDP) in Global Health with the University of California San Diego. 鈥淢y research focuses on medical education and workforce development, tribal public health, vaccine hesitancy, misinformation spread, and social media use.鈥�
Calac鈥檚 most recent and academic presentation examined genomic blockchain applications in Indigenous communities and social media surveillance of 鈥渢raditional tobacco.鈥� Traditional tobacco refers to tobacco and other plant mixtures grown, harvested, and used by American Indians and Alaska Natives for ceremonial or medicinal purposes.
鈥淭echnological advances have enabled the rapid generation of health and genomic data, though rarely do these technologies account for the values and priorities of marginalized communities,鈥� Calac said.
In most marginalized communities, public health priorities often intersect with historical oppression and poverty. Native Americans suffer the highest poverty rate of any major racial group in the country, according to data from Poverty USA, with one in four tribal members in the U.S. living below the federal poverty threshold, meaning the income for a family of four is less than $27,500 yearly.
The implications are staggering, considering more than seven million people or about 2% of the entire country鈥檚 population are (AIAN), according to the U.S. Census Bureau. California is home to 750,000 tribal members, and San Diego County has 18 Native American reservations including the Pauma Band of Luise帽o Indians in North County鈥檚 Pauma Valley. But, the majority of the region鈥檚 25,000 tribal members do not live on reservations.
Calac grew up with his family in Escondido. His father, Dr. Daniel Calac, graduated from 色情视频 in 1995 and became the first physician from the local Pauma Band of Luise帽o Indians, which Calac said inspired him from an early age.
鈥淢y family has always demonstrated to me the importance of service to the community and others. I see no greater way of living,鈥� Calac said. But he noticed a lack of representation in textbooks.
鈥淲hen curricula have no meaningful inclusion of the determinants of Native American health, you are often forced to become the textbook,鈥� he further explained. 鈥淵our peers look to you for answers, which can be a burden when you're one of the only students in your class with that identity.鈥�
Now, as the president of the National Association of Native American Medical Students, Calac relentlessly advocates for increased enrollment and support of Indigenous students in medical schools.
鈥淩epresentation matters. Health outcomes are better when Native American doctors serve Native American patients. Furthermore, we are more likely to fill physician vacancies in our communities.鈥�
Although he鈥檚 still a busy and medical student, Calac鈥檚 research and work in advancing Indigenous inclusivity have earned him national recognition. Among the many awards received in 2022, Calac was named a 鈥�40 Under 40鈥� Leader in Minority Health by the National Minority Quality Forum and was selected as a member of the White House Leaders in Health Equity Roundtable Series.
鈥淭he Health Equity Roundtable is a unique opportunity that brings together health, technology, and innovation professionals to address social determinants of healthcare,鈥� said Calac. 鈥淚t鈥檚 a broadening experience to learn what the White House is doing about health disparity issues and new health policies.鈥�
Calac anticipates earning his Ph.D. and a medical degree in the next couple of years. Afterward, he said he wants to continue influencing and changing health priorities, practices, and policies for AIAN and minority communities.
鈥淚 hope to have a career in health policy and share my time between clinic and academia as a community-centered physician-scientist.鈥�
