COVID-19 Pandemic and Indigenous Representation in Public Health Data

2021 ◽  
Vol 111 (S3) ◽  
pp. S208-S214
Author(s):  
Kimberly R. Huyser ◽  
Aggie J. Yellow Horse ◽  
Alena A. Kuhlemeier ◽  
Michelle R. Huyser
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Health Service ◽  
Alaska Native ◽  
Health Data ◽  
Indian Health Service ◽  
Data Set ◽  
Indian Health ◽  
Public Health Data ◽  
Indigenous Representation ◽  
Tribal Governments

Public Health 3.0 calls for the inclusion of new partners and novel data to bring systemic change to the US public health landscape. The severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) pandemic has illuminated significant data gaps influenced by ongoing colonial legacies of racism and erasure. American Indian and Alaska Native (AI/AN) populations and communities have been disproportionately affected by incomplete public health data and by the COVID-19 pandemic itself. Our findings indicate that only 26 US states were able to calculate COVID-19‒related death rates for AI/AN populations. Given that 37 states have Indian Health Service locations, we argue that public health researchers and practitioners should have a far larger data set of aggregated public health information on AI/AN populations. Despite enormous obstacles, local Tribal facilities have created effective community responses to COVID-19 testing, tracking, and vaccine administration. Their knowledge can lead the way to a healthier nation. Federal and state governments and health agencies must learn to responsibly support Tribal efforts, collect data from AI/AN persons in partnership with Indian Health Service and Tribal governments, and communicate effectively with Tribal authorities to ensure Indigenous data sovereignty. (Am J Public Health. 2021;111(S3): S208–S214. https://doi.org/10.2105/AJPH.2021.306415 )

scholarly journals Siu G. Wong, O.D., M.P.H.

2020 ◽  
Vol 51 (2) ◽  
pp. 53-59
Author(s):  
Siu G. Wong
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Health Service ◽  
Low Income ◽  
Chinese Americans ◽  
The United States ◽  
Indian Health Service ◽  
Care Hospital ◽  
Special Olympics ◽  
Indian Health ◽  
The University

This memoir, written by Dr. Siu G. Wong, chronicles her early influences and education, and profiles her first career as a public health optometrist and her second career as a community activist and public historian. Dr. Wong graduated from the University of California, Berkeley with her doctorate in optometry in 1970 and received her master's in public health in 1973. Her first position as an educator at the University of Houston (UH) included pioneering an interdisciplinary community health program in a low-income neighborhood as well as coordinating the first externship program for UH optometry students with the United States Public Health Service-Indian Health Service (USPHS-IHS). Dr. Wong joined the USPHS in 1978 where she was the first female commissioned officer assigned to the Indian Health Service (IHS), the first chief optometrist of an administrative region, and eventually the first woman to hold the position of chief optometric consultant to the IHS. During her tenure, she spearheaded quality assurance programs and was active in both the American Optometric Association (AOA) and the American Public Health Association (APHA), serving in leadership roles in the AOA's Council on Clinical Optometric Care, Hospital Privileges Committee, the QA Committee, and the Multidisciplinary Practice Section. She also became a member of the APHA's Vision Care Section and the Armed Forces Optometric Society. After retirement, Dr. Wong continued her role in public service, serving as the Clinical Director for the Special Olympics Opening Eyes program and as a clnical consultant. She became active also in public history, joining the Chinese American Citizens Alliance where she works to raise awareness of the contributions of Chinese Americans to American history. This article was annotated by Kirsten Hebert.

Making Research Consent Forms Informative and Understandable: The Experience of the Indian Health Service

1994 ◽  
Vol 3 (4) ◽  
pp. 510-521 ◽  
Author(s):  
William L. Freeman
Keyword(s):  
Informed Consent ◽  
Health Service ◽  
American Indian ◽  
Alaska Native ◽  
Institutional Review Boards ◽  
Indian Health Service ◽  
Research Model ◽  
Consent Forms ◽  
Indian Health ◽  
Institutional Review

The mission of the Indian Health Service (IHS) affects what research is done and how It is reviewed and managed and in turn affects the forms and process used to obtain informed consent. Consent forms must be Informative and understandable to American Indian and Alaska Native (AI/AN) potential volunteers; the process used to obtain informed consent must minimize any institutional pressure to participate. The IHS Institutional Review Boards (IRBs) developed seven research Model Volunteer Consent Forms (available from the author).

Assessing Disparities in the Rates of HCV Diagnoses Within American Indian or Alaska Native Populations Served by the U.S. Indian Health Service, 2005–2015

2018 ◽  
Vol 43 (6) ◽  
pp. 1115-1118 ◽  
Author(s):  
Brigg Reilley ◽  
Jessica Leston ◽  
Mona Doshani ◽  
Dana L. Haberling ◽  
Marissa Person ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Health Service ◽  
American Indian ◽  
Alaska Native ◽  
Indian Health Service ◽  
Indian Health ◽  
Native Populations ◽  
The U.S

scholarly journals Cardiometabolic Conditions and All-Cause Dementia among American Indian and Alaska Native Peoples

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
R Turner Goins ◽  
Blythe Winchester ◽  
Luohua Jiang ◽  
Laura Grau ◽  
Maggie Reid ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Cardiovascular Disease ◽  
Health Service ◽  
American Indian ◽  
Alaska Native ◽  
Care Delivery ◽  
Fiscal Year ◽  
Indian Health Service ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Indian Health ◽  
Laboratory Test Results

Abstract Background Diabetes, hypertension, and cardiovascular disease (CVD) are modifiable lifestyle-related cardiometabolic conditions associated with dementia. Yet, little is known regarding these associations among American Indian and Alaska Native (AI/AN) peoples. Thus, we examined the association of diabetes, hypertension, and cardiovascular disease (CVD) with all-cause dementia among AI/ANs aged ≥ 65 years. Methods This was a cross-sectional analysis of the Indian Health Service Improving Health Care Delivery Data Project. Our study population was a 1:1 matched sample of 4,074 AI/ANs aged ≥ 65 years and Indian Health Service active users during fiscal year 2013. We employed international Classification of Diseases 9th Revision Clinical Modification (ICD-9) diagnostic codes for all-cause dementia, hypertension, and CVD. Diabetes was measured with a validated algorithm to identify adults with diabetes that uses diagnoses, laboratory test results, and medication criteria. Results Multivariable analyses revealed that diabetes and CVD were associated with increased odds of all-cause dementia and hypertension was not. CVD types associated with all-cause dementia differed with cerebrovascular disease having the strongest association. Analyses stratified by gender revealed that diabetes and CVD were associated with increased odds of all-cause dementia for women and only CVD was associated with all-cause dementia for men. Conclusions Training and support of primary care clinicians, addressing cultural considerations, and ensuring inclusion of AI/ANs in research are steps that could help meet AI/AN peoples’ needs. Our findings underscore to the importance of improved management and control of diabetes and CVD, which may lead to the prevention of dementia among older AI/ANs.

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