William Carson

William Carson, MPH is a member of Ohkay Owingeh and a Doctoral Candidate in Health Behavior Health Promotion at the Mel & Enid Zuckerman College of Public Health. His doctoral advisor is Dr. Felina M. Cordova-Marks. Mr. Carson’s project is entitled “Explore the relationship of Indigenous identity, perceived stress, and healthcare utilization among Indigenous identifying students attending the University of Arizona,” and will tackle a question why is it that even though there are currently more Indigenous undergraduate and graduate students at the University of Arizona than any other time in the school’s history, Indigenous students have the lowest rates of Campus Health healthcare utilization in comparison to all other racial and ethnic groups. Indigenous identity is complex, due to Indigneous people having self-identities, community belonging, and political status. Utilizing a mixed-methods approach (surveys and talking circles), this study will explore the relationship between Indigenous self-identity, perceived stress, and utilization rates of on-campus healthcare among University of Arizona Indigenous students. Findings will provide information that may assist the University of Arizona in developing future programs that aide Indigenous students to better access on campus healthcare options and help excel by incorporating Indigenous identity into more healthcare and support services.