Focus on Native American No. 01-02 Date: Summer 2001 Indian Health Resources This issue and future ones will cover web sites devoted to Native American health care, including diabetes, elder care, disabilities, and rehabilitation. The Native American population (American Indians and Alaska Natives) totals 2.2 million with 550 federally recognized tribes in the United States. Most live on reservations or in rural communities, while others reside in urban areas. For many years, the Indian Health Service (IHS) was the primary source of health care. Due to recent changes in federal legislation, individuals may be eligible for other sources of health care on or off the reservation. __Association of American Indian Physicans__ <www.aaip.com> A membership organization for health professionals concerned with current health issues, legislative news, and organizational activities. Members are active in medical education, assisting Indian communities, and cross-cultural training between western and traditional medical practices. The organization acts as a referral agency to physicians in both western and traditional medicine. The web site links to the Society of American Indian Dentists, and resources on AIDS, diabetes, cancer, and substance abuse. __Center for American Indian Research and Education (CAIRE)__ <www.caire.org> CAIRE, at the University of California, Berkeley, works to improve the health and educational status of American Indians and Alaska Natives by developing culturally sensitive health and social service intervention models in various fields, such as environment, women's health, wellness, diabetes, substance abuse, and cancer control and prevention. __Indian Health Service (IHS)__<www.ihs.gov>; Publications/Reports <www.ihs.gov/PublicInfo/Publications/index.asp> IHS, a federal agency under the U. S. Public Health Services Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS), provides a comprehensive health-service delivery system to approximately 1.5 million American Indians and Alaska Natives who are members of federally recognized tribes and live on or near a reservation. The goal of IHS is to assist tribes in the development of health programs including technical assistance and health- management training. IHS coordinates resources available through federal, state, and local programs and provides health-care services, including hospital and ambulatory medical care, and preventive and rehabilitative services. Through IHS, patients can access hospitals, clinics, and related health services on or near their reservations. Health-care services are provided directly, and through tribally contracted and operated health programs and private providers. Special programs cover alcoholism, diabetes, wellness, and mental health. IHS also offers some services to Native Americans living in urban areas. __Medicaid__ <www.hcfa.gov/medicaid/obs3.htm> Medicaid is a jointly funded federal-state-local health insurance program under the auspices of the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS), formerly known as the Health Care Financing Administration (HCFA). It provides health-care services to individuals (including children, the elderly, and individuals with visual or physical disabilities among others) who are eligible to receive federally assisted income maintenance. Eligibility requirements vary from state to state. IHS and tribally owned health-care facilities provide Medicaid services, and states reimburse the facilities accordingly. __Medicare__ <www.medicare.gov> Medicare, also under CMS, is the nation's largest health insurance program. It provides health insurance to individuals age 65 and over, those with permanent kidney failure, and others with disabilities. IHS and tribally owned health care facilities provide Medicare services. Several federal agencies, including HCFA, IHS, and Social Security Administration (SSA) are participating in a two- year education outreach project to educate Native Americans about federal programs. The agencies plan to adapt existing Medicare and Social Security information into products that are culturally and linguistically appropriate for American Indians and Alaska Natives elders. They selected Albuquerque, New Mexico, as the demonstration site because both IHS health facilities and Medicare-participating facilities exist there, and eligible beneficiaries of the five Pueblo Tribes (Jemez, Isleta, Sandia, Santa Ana, and Zia) are willing to participate. __National Center for American Indian and Alaska Native Mental Health Research (NCAIANMHR)__ <www.uchsc.edu/ai/ncaianmhr> A program in the Department of Psychiatry, University of Colorado Health Sciences Center, it is sponsored by the National Institute of Mental Health. It is the only program in the country that focuses specifically on promoting culturally competent mental-health care to Native Americans. The agency acts as a national referral agency for mental health services to individuals, health planners, and service providers. It publishes health related reports and offers a forum on cause, treatment, and prevention to social service agencies. __National Indian Health Board__ <www.nihb.org/home/ aboutthe.htm> The National Indian Health Board (NIHB) is a nonprofit organization composed of tribal leaders from each of the twelve IHS areas, and represents federally recognized tribes on issues of national Indian health-care legislation and policy. These leaders work with those tribal governments that operate their own health-care delivery systems, as well as those working with IHS. NIHB conducts research and training programs, monitors federal legislation, and networks with other national health-care organizations in support of Native American health-care issues. __National Native American AIDS Prevention Center__ <www.nnaapc.org> A member of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention technical support team, it provides training programs and support services to Native American communities and health departments on the care and prevention of AIDS, substance abuse, and sexual transmitted diseases. The agency also works on improving disease surveillance in Native American communities. Within the agency there is the Native Care HIV/AIDS Integrated Services Network. This network is a collaborative effort between Native American service providers to ensure access to health and social services by HIV-infected Native Americans in urban and reservation communities. It provides access to Native-specific resources, including traditional healing. Network sites located in selected urban and reservation communities offer cultural awareness training to service providers, and advocates for their clients. __Native C.I.R.C.L.E.__ <www.mayo.edu/nativecirclel> The American Indian/Alaska Native Cancer Information Resource Center and Learning Exchange (C.I.R.C.L.E.) provides brochures and videos on specific health-related topics including breast, prostate, and lung cancers; smoking cessation; and nutrition. The web site provides links to resources, bibliographies, grant applications and resources, and a speakers' bureau. For further information or suggestions for this series, contact Ruth Nussbaum, editor, at [log in to unmask]