American Indian (AI) and Alaska Native (AN) populations are a rich tapestry of diverse and resilient cultures. Their population is growing, and they number in the millions. However, they are among the most marginalized communities with some of the poorest health outcomes in the country. ASTHO works with tribal, federal, state, and local partners to change this.
Tribal health and public health systems interact but are distinct from state and federal systems. The resources below aim to foster connections across systems and community members to improve health outcomes, with a focus on health equity and the unique challenges tribal populations face.
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Tribal Data Sharing Lessons from Alaska
Public health agencies looking to enter into a data sharing relationship with a tribal health authority or a tribal-serving organization will likely need to draft and execute a data sharing agreement. This resource walks through how the Alaska Department of Health and the Alaska Native Tribal Health Consortium overcame data-sharing barriers and provides lessons from their experience.
Strengthening Risk-Appropriate Care in American Indian and Alaska Native Communities
This brief addresses the importance of developing robust, culturally competent risk-appropriate care systems for American Indian and Alaska Native communities.
Healthy Heart, Healthy Brain
ASTHO partnered with the International Association for Indigenous Aging to produce this series of communication materials that addresses the connection between brain health and heart health.
Bridging the Gap: Ensuring Vaccine Equity for Native Communities
In this episode of Public Health Review, three public health experts share how they prioritized vaccine equity for American Indian and Alaskan Native communities on the local, state, and national levels during the pandemic.
Latest Tribal Health Resources
Data Sharing Lessons from Alaska
Improving a State’s Process for Disclosing Data for Public Health Purposes to Tribal Public Health Organizations
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Arizona Department of Health Services Pursues Policies to Advance Data Sharing with Tribal Nations
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Public Health Infrastructure Partners Launch National Implementation Center Program to Support Data Modernization
CDC-funded program will accelerate data exchange between healthcare and public health to drive timely, data-informed public health action
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Collaborations
ASTHO manages multiple peer groups in which state-tribal topics arise. For example, the state environmental health directors and the state vector-borne disease control officials provide a venue for state and territorial health agency leaders to share information on promising practices, network with one another, and engage in meaningful discussions with each other and ASTHO on emerging or pressing environmental health issues. Additionally, cross-jurisdictional systems improvement projects and public health accreditation often engage state, local, and tribal health agencies.
ASTHO regularly engages with key partners to advance state and territorial health priorities. Key partners include:
- Association of Public Health Laboratories
- Association of State Drinking Water Administrators
- CDC
- Children’s Environmental Health Network
- Council of State and Territorial Epidemiologists
- Environmental Council of the States
- EPA
- FDA
- NACCHO
- National Association of Vector-Borne Disease Control Officials
- National Center for Healthy Housing
- National Environmental Health Association
- National Environmental Health Partnership Council
- National Indian Health Board