He Pikinga Waiora: A culturally centered Indigenous implementation science framework.
Damian Chase-Begay, PhD, MS
University of Montana
ABSTRACT:
The He Pikinga Waiora (HPW) Framework offers a culturally-centered, community-engaged implementation model developed in Indigenous contexts to guide health promotion and chronic disease prevention efforts. First, this presentation will provide a concise overview of the framework’s origin, key principles (including cultural-centeredness, community engagement, systems thinking, and integrated knowledge translation) and its empirical foundation.
Second, the presentation will highlight a case study in which the HPW framework was applied in partnership with Indigenous community stakeholders—illustrating what the co-design process looked like, what challenges were encountered (such as partner drop-out, adapting intervention content, and sustaining engagement), and what successes were achieved (including significant weight loss and improved self-rated health in one cohort).
Finally, the presentation will describe current work underway to adapt and extend the HPW framework for American Indian communities in the U.S., focusing on culturally-rooted adaptations, stakeholder-driven modifications, and next-phase implementation and evaluation plans. The aim is to spark discussion among clinical and public health practitioners about how frameworks like HPW can be translated across Indigenous populations while preserving community leadership, cultural relevance, and implementation rigor.
Learning Objectives:
Understand the core components and evidence base of the HPW framework.
Recognize critical implementation successes and pitfalls when applying the framework in Indigenous settings.
Explore pathways and considerations for adapting the HPW framework for American Indian community contexts—including partnership dynamics, cultural adaptation requirements, and evaluation strategies.
