The UC Davis Cancer Center has formalized and expanded a partnership with the nonprofit Turtle Health Foundation to improve cancer education, research and training for American Indian tribes and tribal communities.

"The partnership is a natural one," said Marlene M. von Friederichs-Fitzwater, director of the outreach research and education program at the UC Davis Cancer Center. "California is home to the nation's largest population of American Indians, who unfortunately have the poorest cancer survival rate in the United States."

The partnership will spawn a variety of initiatives designed to strengthen cancer education outreach and increase health education awareness among American Indians while focusing on cancer prevention, early diagnosis and treatment options.

The collaboration will also provide educational opportunities for American Indian undergraduate and graduate students, including scholarship programs in nursing, physical therapy, health science, therapeutic recreation, medical social work, speech pathology, pre-med and medicine.

"We are looking forward to an increased level of collaboration in the areas of research, education and prevention for the benefit of the American Indian community," said Linda D. Navarro, chief executive officer of Turtle Health Foundation.