Delight E. Satter, MPH, is an affiliate at the UCLA Center for Health Policy Research (CHPR) and a senior health scientist in the Office for Tribal Affairs and Strategic Alliances at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's Center for State, Tribal, Local and Territorial Support. Her primary job functions include providing counsel on issues related to complex tribal research, science, and program integration assignments that reflect the priorities, policies, interests, and initiatives of the agency.

Prior to joining the CDC, Satter founded and directed the UCLA CHPR's American Indian Research Program from 1998 to 2011. Satter's primary focus was on the health and well-being of urban and rural/reservation American Indians. She worked on numerous research, programmatic and policy efforts from a local, state and national perspective. Her interest areas included public health promotion and disease prevention, research and evaluation capacity building for community-based organizations through participatory methods, policy analysis and data issues, such as racial and ethnic constructs in research design. Her projects covered Native cancer, tobacco prevention and policy opportunities for tribes, an epidemiologic profile of Native elders, an evaluation of a Native infant health program targeting at risk pregnancies and children, evaluation and technical assistance on youth mental health care access, and development of the California Health Interview Survey (CHIS) focusing in particular on the design and community based outreach of the 2001 and 2011 American Indian oversamples.

Satter's public service activities include serving as a founding and current of the Board of Directors, Native Research Network, Inc.; member of the Community Action Committee, American Indian Research Center, University of Arizona; and founding and current member of the CDC American Indian, Alaska Native and Native Hawaiian Coalition.

She was also on the inaugural U.S. Secretary of Health and Human Services Advisory Committee on Minority Health was a member of the board for the California Pan Ethnic Health Network and Native American Cancer Research, Inc. and was past-president of the American Indian, Alaska Native and Native Hawaiian Caucus of the American Public Health Association.

Prior to joining UCLA CHPR, Satter was a fellow with the CDC. She received her master's degree in public health from the University of Minnesota and bachelor of art's degree in anthropology from the University of Washington. She is a tribal member of the Confederated Tribes of Grand Ronde, Oregon.

Discover, Connect:

Explore

Intimate Partner Violence–Related Homicides of Hispanic and Latino Persons — National Violent Death Reporting System, United States, 2003–2021
External Publication
External Publication

Intimate Partner Violence–Related Homicides of Hispanic and Latino Persons — National Violent Death Reporting System, United States, 2003–2021

In 2022, homicide was the second leading cause of death for Hispanic and Latino persons aged 15–24 years in the United States, the third leading cause of death for those aged 25–34 years, and the fourth leading cause of death for those aged 1–14 years. The majority of homicides of females, including among Hispanic and Latino persons, occur in the context of intimate partner violence (IPV). This report summarizes data from CDC’s National Violent Death Reporting System (NVDRS) on IPV-related homicides of Hispanic and Latino persons in the United States.

NVDRS collects data regarding violent deaths in the United States and links three sources: death certificates, coroner or medical examiner reports, and law enforcement reports. IPV-related homicides include both intimate partner homicides (IPHs) by current or former partners and homicides of corollary victims (e.g., children, family members, and new partners).

Findings: NVDRS collected data on 24,581 homicides of Hispanic and Latino persons, and data from all available years (2003–2021) and U.S. jurisdictions (49 states, Puerto Rico, and the District of Columbia) were examined. Some findings include:

  • Among homicides with known circumstances, a total of 2,444 were classified as IPV-related (13.8%). Nearly half of female homicides (48.2%) and 6.7% of male homicides were IPV-related.
  • Among all Hispanic and Latino homicides, most victims were male (83.9%). 
  • Among the 2,319 IPV-related homicides with known suspects, 85% of suspects were current or former partners for female victims, compared with 26.2% for male Hispanic and Latino victims. 
  • Approximately one fifth of female IPV-related homicide victims of childbearing age with known pregnancy status were pregnant or ≤1 year postpartum. 
    A firearm was used in the majority of Hispanic and Latino IPV-related homicides.

This report provides a detailed summary of NVDRS data on IPV-related homicides of Hispanic and Latino persons in the United States during 2003–2021. This report found heterogeneity of characteristics and circumstances of Hispanic and Latino IPV-related homicides. Whereas most Hispanic and Latino homicide victims were male, nearly 60% of Hispanic and Latino IPHs and IPV-related homicide victims were female. Additional research is needed to better understand the relation between IPHs and IPV-related homicides and race (distinct from ethnicity) and pregnancy.
 

Adult Caretaker Engagement and School Connectedness and Association with Substance Use, Indicators of Emotional Well-Being and Suicide Risk, and Experiences with Violence Among American Indian or Alaska Native High School Students
External Publication
External Publication

Adult Caretaker Engagement and School Connectedness and Association with Substance Use, Indicators of Emotional Well-Being and Suicide Risk, and Experiences with Violence Among American Indian or Alaska Native High School Students

A new report focused on American Indian Alaska Native (AIAN) high school students highlights how engaged adult caregivers and school connectedness are important to promote emotional well-being and prevent substance use, suicide-related behavior, and experiences of violence among AIAN students. 

Researchers used the 2023 national Youth Risk Behavior Survey (YRBS).  For the first time, the 2023 YRBS included a supplemental sample of AIAN high school students. Coding of race and ethnicity was inclusive of all AIAN students, even if they also identified as another race or as Hispanic or Latino, providing comprehensive data on health behaviors and experiences among AIAN high school students nationwide. 

Adult caretaker engagement and school connectedness and their association with 13 health behaviors and experiences were examined, including five types of current substance use, four indicators of emotional well-being and suicide risk, and four types of violence. 

Findings: Among AIAN students, having an adult who always tried to meet their basic needs, high parental monitoring, and high school connectedness were associated with lower prevalence of certain measures of substance use, poor emotional well-being and suicide risk, and violence. Compared with non-AIAN students, the prevalence of current electronic vapor product use, current marijuana use, attempted suicide, and experience of sexual violence was higher among AIAN students.

This report presents the most comprehensive, up-to-date data on substance use, indicators of emotional well-being and suicide risk, and experiences with violence among AIAN high school students nationwide. 

The findings suggest the importance of engaged household adults and school connectedness in promoting emotional well-being and preventing substance use, suicide-related behavior, and experiences of violence among AIAN students. Understanding the historical context and incorporating Indigenous knowledge when developing interventions focused on AIAN youths are critical to ensure such interventions are successful in improving AIAN health and well-being.

 

Centering Data Sovereignty, Tribal Values, and Practices for Equity in American Indian and Alaska Native Public Health Systems
Journal Article
Journal Article

Centering Data Sovereignty, Tribal Values, and Practices for Equity in American Indian and Alaska Native Public Health Systems


As the first scientists on the American continents, American Indian and Alaska Native people followed various methodologies in the pursuit of knowledge to understand and respond to complex environmental situations. Examples include data necessary to guide access to safe food and medicine as well as community roles, kinship, travel, housing, and healing for the well-being of the community. These tribal data have been transmitted through specific practices with strict protocols such as storytelling, songs, and ceremony. Colonialism and attempts to eradicate tribal cultures have stolen or at the very least hidden most of the original tribal data practices in all current public health systems. Current methodologies fail to accurately capture data on American Indian and Alaska Native populations, resulting in inaccurate and even harmful data outcomes. Efforts to improve public health data systems should begin with the reclamation of tribal knowledge systems and the reconstruction of these systems to fit modern context and tribal data sovereignty, with intentionality toward future generations.
 

Photo of Books
Journal Article
Journal Article

American Indian and Alaska Native Violence Prevention Efforts: A Systematic Review, 1980 to 2018 (Injury Epidemiology)

Violence is a serious public health concern disproportionately experienced by American Indian and Alaska Native (AIAN) people. While the burden and impact of violence may be explained by the presence of risk factors among this group, AIAN communities benefit from unique protective factors and universal strategies which may be tailored with tribal adaptations. 

Authors sought to identify and explore violence prevention strategies specific to AIAN populations by conducting a review to systematically identify violence prevention programs, policies, and practices implemented in AIAN communities. They searched nine electronic databases and relevant gray literature released between January 1980 and June 2018. They included intervention-focused records targeting at least one violence topic area (child abuse/neglect, elder abuse, intimate partner violence, sexual violence, youth violence, and suicide) in a majority (> 50%) AIAN population.

Findings: A total of 5,220 non-duplicate records were screened, yielding 318 full-text records. After applying exclusion criteria, 57 records describing 60 program, policy, or practice implementations of 43 unique interventions were identified. All six violence types were represented, although more than half focused on suicide prevention. 

Among suicide prevention programs, the most common strategies were identifying and supporting people at risk, teaching coping and problem-solving skills, and promoting connectedness. Two-thirds of the implementations were in fully (100%) AIAN communities. Programs were implemented across many settings, though schools were the most common setting. Of the 60 total implementations, a majority were new approaches developed by and for AIAN communities, while the remainder were AIAN adaptations of programs previously created for non-AIAN populations. Most implementations provided some evaluation data although less than half reported evaluation results. 

This review identified many violence prevention strategies specific to AIAN populations. While programs developed in one tribe may not be completely generalizable to others, shared tribal risk and protective factors suggest programs could be successful across diverse communities. Findings indicate there is a need to develop and evaluate violence prevention programs, policies and practices for AIAN populations.

Intimate Partner Violence–Related Homicides of Hispanic and Latino Persons — National Violent Death Reporting System, United States, 2003–2021
External Publication
External Publication

Intimate Partner Violence–Related Homicides of Hispanic and Latino Persons — National Violent Death Reporting System, United States, 2003–2021

In 2022, homicide was the second leading cause of death for Hispanic and Latino persons aged 15–24 years in the United States, the third leading cause of death for those aged 25–34 years, and the fourth leading cause of death for those aged 1–14 years. The majority of homicides of females, including among Hispanic and Latino persons, occur in the context of intimate partner violence (IPV). This report summarizes data from CDC’s National Violent Death Reporting System (NVDRS) on IPV-related homicides of Hispanic and Latino persons in the United States.

NVDRS collects data regarding violent deaths in the United States and links three sources: death certificates, coroner or medical examiner reports, and law enforcement reports. IPV-related homicides include both intimate partner homicides (IPHs) by current or former partners and homicides of corollary victims (e.g., children, family members, and new partners).

Findings: NVDRS collected data on 24,581 homicides of Hispanic and Latino persons, and data from all available years (2003–2021) and U.S. jurisdictions (49 states, Puerto Rico, and the District of Columbia) were examined. Some findings include:

  • Among homicides with known circumstances, a total of 2,444 were classified as IPV-related (13.8%). Nearly half of female homicides (48.2%) and 6.7% of male homicides were IPV-related.
  • Among all Hispanic and Latino homicides, most victims were male (83.9%). 
  • Among the 2,319 IPV-related homicides with known suspects, 85% of suspects were current or former partners for female victims, compared with 26.2% for male Hispanic and Latino victims. 
  • Approximately one fifth of female IPV-related homicide victims of childbearing age with known pregnancy status were pregnant or ≤1 year postpartum. 
    A firearm was used in the majority of Hispanic and Latino IPV-related homicides.

This report provides a detailed summary of NVDRS data on IPV-related homicides of Hispanic and Latino persons in the United States during 2003–2021. This report found heterogeneity of characteristics and circumstances of Hispanic and Latino IPV-related homicides. Whereas most Hispanic and Latino homicide victims were male, nearly 60% of Hispanic and Latino IPHs and IPV-related homicide victims were female. Additional research is needed to better understand the relation between IPHs and IPV-related homicides and race (distinct from ethnicity) and pregnancy.
 

View All Publications

Adult Caretaker Engagement and School Connectedness and Association with Substance Use, Indicators of Emotional Well-Being and Suicide Risk, and Experiences with Violence Among American Indian or Alaska Native High School Students
External Publication
External Publication

Adult Caretaker Engagement and School Connectedness and Association with Substance Use, Indicators of Emotional Well-Being and Suicide Risk, and Experiences with Violence Among American Indian or Alaska Native High School Students

A new report focused on American Indian Alaska Native (AIAN) high school students highlights how engaged adult caregivers and school connectedness are important to promote emotional well-being and prevent substance use, suicide-related behavior, and experiences of violence among AIAN students. 

Researchers used the 2023 national Youth Risk Behavior Survey (YRBS).  For the first time, the 2023 YRBS included a supplemental sample of AIAN high school students. Coding of race and ethnicity was inclusive of all AIAN students, even if they also identified as another race or as Hispanic or Latino, providing comprehensive data on health behaviors and experiences among AIAN high school students nationwide. 

Adult caretaker engagement and school connectedness and their association with 13 health behaviors and experiences were examined, including five types of current substance use, four indicators of emotional well-being and suicide risk, and four types of violence. 

Findings: Among AIAN students, having an adult who always tried to meet their basic needs, high parental monitoring, and high school connectedness were associated with lower prevalence of certain measures of substance use, poor emotional well-being and suicide risk, and violence. Compared with non-AIAN students, the prevalence of current electronic vapor product use, current marijuana use, attempted suicide, and experience of sexual violence was higher among AIAN students.

This report presents the most comprehensive, up-to-date data on substance use, indicators of emotional well-being and suicide risk, and experiences with violence among AIAN high school students nationwide. 

The findings suggest the importance of engaged household adults and school connectedness in promoting emotional well-being and preventing substance use, suicide-related behavior, and experiences of violence among AIAN students. Understanding the historical context and incorporating Indigenous knowledge when developing interventions focused on AIAN youths are critical to ensure such interventions are successful in improving AIAN health and well-being.

 

Photo of Books
Journal Article
Journal Article

American Indian and Alaska Native Violence Prevention Efforts: A Systematic Review, 1980 to 2018 (Injury Epidemiology)

Violence is a serious public health concern disproportionately experienced by American Indian and Alaska Native (AIAN) people. While the burden and impact of violence may be explained by the presence of risk factors among this group, AIAN communities benefit from unique protective factors and universal strategies which may be tailored with tribal adaptations. 

Authors sought to identify and explore violence prevention strategies specific to AIAN populations by conducting a review to systematically identify violence prevention programs, policies, and practices implemented in AIAN communities. They searched nine electronic databases and relevant gray literature released between January 1980 and June 2018. They included intervention-focused records targeting at least one violence topic area (child abuse/neglect, elder abuse, intimate partner violence, sexual violence, youth violence, and suicide) in a majority (> 50%) AIAN population.

Findings: A total of 5,220 non-duplicate records were screened, yielding 318 full-text records. After applying exclusion criteria, 57 records describing 60 program, policy, or practice implementations of 43 unique interventions were identified. All six violence types were represented, although more than half focused on suicide prevention. 

Among suicide prevention programs, the most common strategies were identifying and supporting people at risk, teaching coping and problem-solving skills, and promoting connectedness. Two-thirds of the implementations were in fully (100%) AIAN communities. Programs were implemented across many settings, though schools were the most common setting. Of the 60 total implementations, a majority were new approaches developed by and for AIAN communities, while the remainder were AIAN adaptations of programs previously created for non-AIAN populations. Most implementations provided some evaluation data although less than half reported evaluation results. 

This review identified many violence prevention strategies specific to AIAN populations. While programs developed in one tribe may not be completely generalizable to others, shared tribal risk and protective factors suggest programs could be successful across diverse communities. Findings indicate there is a need to develop and evaluate violence prevention programs, policies and practices for AIAN populations.