Public Health
Public Health and the National Indian Health Board
In collaboration with the Indian Health Service (IHS), the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, and the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, the National Indian Health Board (NIHB) is increasing public health capacity and awareness in Indian Country.
- The Healthy Indian Country Initiative promotes innovative and successful tribal prevention programs as models for the future.
- The NIHB Public Health Summer Fellowship introduces and exposes American Indians and Alaska Natives students to public health careers.
- The feasibility of Tribal Public Health Accreditation is being explored as part of the national efforts of the Public Health Accreditation Board (PHAB).
- Just Move It is a national campaign to promote physical activity for American Indians and Alaska Natives
For more information and resources on Public Health please visit The Public Health Resource Center.
Health Updates
2010 Tribal Public Health Profile: Exploring Public Health Capacity in Indian Country
The National Indian Health Board (NIHB) is pleased to present the 2010 NIHB Tribal Public Health Profile, the first national snapshot of our tribal public health systems to be made publically available. The results of this report help demonstrate the connections between the daily operations of individual tribal health organizations and the collective efforts to improve health status taking place nationally. Such information will benefit Tribes in a number of ways, including but not limited to:
- Provide a baseline to measure growth and change in tribal public health capacity
- Prioritize area for development and resource allocation
- Advocate for resources and policy on behalf of Tribes and public health
- Assess readiness for tribal public health accreditation
- Identify technical assistance and quality improvement needs
On behalf of the NIHB Governing Board and staff, we express our gratitude to those who participated in the 2010 NIHB Tribal Public Health Profile. Your contributions will assist our continued efforts to monitor the progress and improvement in tribal public health capacity across Indian Country.
If you would like more information, please contact NIHB Director of Public Health Programs, Mr. Rick Haverkate, MPH at rhaverkate@nihb.org or (202) 507-4070.
Click here for the full 2010 NIHB Tribal Public Health Profile
2010: A New Decade of Indigenous Public Health
May 18-20, 2010Albuquerque, New Mexico
Click here to access more information about the Public Health Summit.
CDC names new Director of the Office of State, Tribal, Local and Territorial Support
Dr. Judith Monroe will serve as a Deputy Director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and Director of the Office of State, Tribal, Local and Territorial Support (OSTLTS) beginning March 22, 2010. Dr. Monroe was the Immediate Past President of the Association of State and Territorial Health Officials (ASTHO) and serves as the Vice Chair on the Board of Directors for the Public Health Accreditation (PHAB).
The National Indian Health Board has partnered with PHAB in a national effort to improve public health practice in Indian Country. Through her leadership on the PHAB Board, Dr. Monroe has shown a high degree of support for Tribal Public Health issues. Her appointment to this new position will strengthen the relationship between the Tribes and the CDC. NIHB congratulates Dr. Monroe and welcomes the continued collaboration with the CDC to improve the health of American Indian and Alaska Native people.
Click here to read the bio of Judith A, Monroe, MD, FAAFP (Director – Office for State, Tribal, Local and Territorial Support)
Public Health Inquiries:
NIHB Director of Public Health
Rick Haverkate, MPH
Washington, DC 20003
Phone: 202-507-4074
Email: rhaverkate@nihb.org
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