The nine major overview and position papers contained in the monograph were originally presented at a conference held for the purpose of reviewing, from the Native American perspective, the National Institute of Medicine's comprehensive volume, "Health and Behavior: Frontiers of Research in the Biobehavioral Sciences." The papers, each of which was discussed at length and revised after the conference, address the following issues and concerns: (1) epidemiological trends in American Indian and Alaska Native morbidity and mortality, and a general model of stress, coping, and health; (2) specific research needs related to the epidemiology and natural history of alcohol use, and assessment, treatment, and prevention of alcohol abuse; (3) the multifactorial etiology of Type II diabetes among American Indians; (4) current knowledge of mental health and illness of Native Americans, derived from research and service delivery systems; (5) the complex interaction of social, economic, physical, familial, and political factors affecting well-being of older American Indians; (6) the cultural construction of illness and cross-cultural difficulties related to labeling; (7) death and disease patterns of American Indian and Alaska Native children; (8) the Puyallup tribal experience relevant to the Institute of Medicine's recommendation that mental health care be integrated into the roles of primary care practitioners; and (9) the nature and extent of change in Alaska and its effect upon the health of Native individuals and families. Edited records of the discussions that followed each paper offer insight into disciplinary, substantive, and methodological differences on the subject matter. (SV)