As we close out Tribal Public Health Week 2025, we turn our focus to the future. The American Public Health Association reminds us that “The Future of Public Health Starts Here.” At the National Indian Health Board (NIHB), we know exactly where here is: in the hands of Tribal public health professionals – past, present, and future – working every day to protect the health of their communities.
From Alaska to Arizona, Maine to Montana, the strength of Tribal public health systems depends on the people powering them. That’s why NIHB is deeply committed to building a strong, sovereign, and sustainable Tribal public health workforce.
A Growing Need, A Shared Responsibility
Tribal Nations face significant challenges in growing and sustaining a public health workforce:
- Limited long-term funding
- High staff turnover
- Rural and remote locations
- Lack of access to training, data, and infrastructure
And yet, Tribal public health professionals show up – in clinics, in council meetings, on the frontlines of emergencies – ready to serve their people with cultural knowledge, scientific expertise, and community trust.
NIHB’s Commitment to the Tribal Public Health Workforce
NIHB works every day to strengthen the workforce that strengthens Indian Country. Here are just a few of the ways we’re doing it:
Tribal Scholars Program
Stay tuned next week as we announce more details on an exciting new educational opportunity designed to provide students and recent graduates with exposure to public health topics impacting Tribal communities. This program for students and recent graduates will work on projects aligned with their specific interests, such as environmental health, infectious diseases, maternal and child health, public health infrastructure, federal relations, and many more and will include a trip to Washington, D.C. July 21-25.
Behavioral Health Youth Advisory Council
The National Indian Health Board is proud to welcome 12 incredible American Indian and Alaska Native youth (ages 18–24) to our inaugural Tribal Youth Advisory Council! We will announce our selections on April 24 (sorry everyone, we are still reviewing more than 50 applications!) These young leaders are bringing their voices, vision, and passion for mental health, advocacy, and Indigenous wellness to the forefront.
Over the next year, they’ll engage in leadership development, connect with Tribal leaders and policymakers in Washington, D.C., and design impactful community action plans rooted in cultural strength and resilience.
Most importantly, this council will guide NIHB’s national work with the insight, priorities, and lived experiences of Indigenous youth—ensuring our efforts truly reflect the future we are building together.
This is all part of NIHB’s commitment to growing a strong, representative Indigenous public health workforce—led by the next generation.
Data Modernization and Tribal Data Sovereignty
As part of our commitment to advancing Tribal public health data systems, NIHB supports Tribes in adopting and using modern data technology, including electronic case reporting (eCR) – enabling more timely, accurate, and automated reporting of diseases and health events. Data Modernization helps build a more resilient and responsive workforce that’s equipped with the tools of modern public health. These tools mean more dedicated funding and allow epidemiologists to spend their time using data instead of cleaning it.
Strong Systems, Stronger Communities (SSSC)
Through the SSSC project, NIHB provides technical assistance and capacity-building support to Tribal public health programs across the country. From workforce planning to program development to policy implementation, SSSC helps ensure that Tribes have the support they need to grow strong, culturally grounded systems of health.
Trainings, Technical Assistance, and Convenings
NIHB offers year-round training, webinars, and one-on-one assistance to public health staff in Indian Country. Whether it’s launching a new wellness program or navigating federal reporting requirements, we are here to help Tribes succeed.
PHICCS (Public Health in Indian Country Capacity Scan)
PHICCS is a first-of-its-kind national scan that gathers data directly from Tribes to assess public health capacity, workforce needs, and priorities. This tool gives Tribes, policymakers, and partners a clear picture of where investments are needed, and how to shape future funding and support. PHICCS specifically highlights the strengths and gaps in the Tribal public health workforce. PHICCS data highlights the need for a 21.5% increase in new Tribal public health positions for Tribal health organizations to function at full workforce capacity. 69% of Tribal health organizations cited the need for additional workforce development- an area in which NIHB supports through technical assistance to Tribal organizations on a variety of topics.
The Future Is Native
The future of public health is not one-size-fits-all. It is Tribal-led, community-informed, and culturally grounded. NIHB believes that the people closest to the issues are also closest to the solutions – and that Tribal health leaders deserve the tools, resources, and autonomy to build their own public health futures.
Our vision is clear: A strong, well-resourced public health workforce in every Tribal community. A workforce that is not only trained in best practices, but deeply connected to community, culture, and tradition.
Invest in the Workforce. Invest in the Future.
As we look ahead, we call on our federal partners, philanthropic allies, and public health peers to recognize the critical importance of Tribal public health workforce development. The future of Tribal health depends on it.
We invite you to:
- Advocate for sustained funding and infrastructure for Tribal public health
- Partner with us to advertise and expand training, mentorship, and career pathways for Native public health professionals
- Celebrate the public health heroes in your community using #TribalPublicHealthWeek2025 and #NPHW2025
Because the future starts here — with people, with purpose, and with the promise of health for all Tribal Nations.
