The NB3 Foundation’s Evaluation and Research team recently published groundbreaking work in the International Journal of Circumpolar Health examining interventions with Native youth to promote hydration and reduce sugar-sweetened beverage (SSB) consumption.
The systematic review analyzed 13 interventions, looking not only at outcomes but also at whether they incorporated Indigenous definitions of health and wellness and actively engaged Native communities. Findings showed that only two interventions meaningfully reflected Indigenous perspectives or community involvement.
This points to the need for culturally grounded approaches that honor Indigenous ways of knowing while supporting healthier beverage choices. The study serves as a valuable resource for researchers, health professionals and community leaders, and calls for future interventions to be developed in partnership with Native communities.
The NB3 Foundation hopes these findings will guide the field toward more culturally relevant, community-led strategies that promote hydration, reduce SSB consumption and support the long-term health of Native youth and communities.
Read full paper here: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/40726116/
