An awareness of the legal basis for the federal obligation to provide health care to American Indians and Alaska Natives is important when designing health care programs, developing federal budgets, coordinating with other agencies, and obtaining regulation waivers for selected Indian programs.
The American Indian and Alaska Native people have long experienced lower health status when compared with other Americans. Lower life expectancy and the disproportionate disease burden exist perhaps because of inadequate education, disproportionate poverty, discrimination in the delivery of health services, and cultural differences. These are broad quality of life issues rooted in economic adversity and poor social conditions.
Federally recognized American Indian Tribes and Alaska Native corporations have a government-to-government relationship with the United States. This unique relationship has been given substance through numerous treaties, Supreme Court decisions, legislation, Executive Orders, and the U.S Constitution.
Local health departments (LHDs) face complex public health challenges due largely to decisions made outside of the health sector. Factors such as socioeconomic policies, land use and
transportation decisions, and the quality of education shape access to resources and opportunities that affect quality of life and health outcomes.
Titles I and V of the Indian Self-Determination and Education Assistance Act (Public Law 93-638, as amended), provide Tribes the option of exercising their right to self-determination by assuming control and management of programs previously administered by the federal government. Since 1992, the IHS has entered into agreements with tribes and tribal organizations to plan, conduct, and administer programs authorized under Section 102 of the Act.
CDC’s Consortium of National Networks to Impact Populations Experiencing Tobacco-Related and Cancer Health Disparities
List of tools about Healthy Eating, Active Living, and Clinical & Community Preventive Services.
List of resources around Tobacco, Healthy Eating, Active Living, Healthy & Safe Community Environments, Clinical & Community Preventive Services, Empowered People, and Elimination of Health Disparities.
Assess local schools’ need for better policies and better enforcement. This assessment focuses on student opinions.
A document to help assess community member’s interest in better smoke-free policy creation and enforcement in the community.