WVU to track tribes' access to long-term health care

A West Virginia University researcher has received a $149,767 federal grant to study American Indians' and Alaskan natives' access to long-term health care.

R. Turner Goins will examine availability and types of long-term care, barriers to developing policies and programs, and other issues.  She also plans to identify tribes that can serve as examples regarding long-term care.

She said the Indian Health Service provides only acute care.  "This population is particularly vulnerable in not having their long-term care needs met.  They are beset by a disproportionate amount of disabling chronic health conditions across all age groups," Goins said Thursday.

Goins is associate director for research at the WVU Center on Aging and associate professor with the WVU Department of Community Medicine.