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U.S. Department of Health and Human Services
National IHS Public Health Council

Goals/Objectives

Goals

Epidemiology and Workforce Development

GOAL 1: Establish a quality public health data system for epidemiology and surveillance efforts.

Objectives:

  1. Develop a proposal for what we believe would be an ideal comprehensive data system and/or submit recommendations to HQ.
  2. Assess and document quality of public health data available for epidemiology and disease surveillance.
  3. Advocate for improvement of data quality (ex., lab data) and data systems where possible.

GOAL 2: Comprehensive surveillance to assess the health of the population/community

Objectives:

  1. Focus on infectious disease surveillance efforts that align with the Division of Epidemiology and Disease Prevention HQ priorities.
  2. Efficient dissemination of surveillance and epidemiology products.
  3. Establish strategy for data driven decision making.
  4. Standardize methodology for infectious disease surveillance and epidemiology across the IHS enterprise – HQ, Area, TEC and local levels.

Goal 3. Epidemiology Workforce Development

Objectives:

  1. Assess epidemiology capacity across IHS Areas through baseline survey.
  2. Establish a framework that supports close engagement from TECs & Tribal Advisory Committees (TACs).
  3. Develop a proposal to build sustainable infrastructure that strengthens the capacity of local staff through ongoing investment in and implementation of training.
  4. Support roll out of pilot training program modeled after CDC developed Field Epidemiology Training Program (FETP).

Environmental and Occupational Health

The purpose of the Environmental & Occupational Health workgroup is to support the mission of the IHS Division of Environmental Health Services by fostering cross disciplinary communication amongst Environmental Health Specialists, clinicians and allied public health practitioners.

GOAL 1: Provide information to tribal communities, partners, and clinical staff on the risk factors that contribute to asthma triggers/symptoms.

Objectives:

  1. Identify environmental factors that contribute to asthma in tribal communities particularly related to indoor air quality and outdoor sources of pollution that contribute to respirable particulate matter.

  2. Develop an online educational session and training material to assist clinicians with referrals to community partners that can assess patient homes and communities for sources of pollution that contribute to asthma.

GOAL 2: Identify and communicate to Environmental Health practitioners’ areas in which they can assist tribal communities with adaptation and response activities to mitigate the impact of climate change.

Objectives:

  1. Request the Division of Environmental Health Services Climate Change Workgroup to present to the National Public Health Council on the impact of climate change on tribal communities and the role of the Environmental Health Specialist in adaptive strategies.

  2. Develop training material and resources to support Environmental Health Specialists assisting tribal communities responding to the effects of climate change (extreme heat, particulate matter from wildfires, vector control).

Health Promotion and Wellness

GOAL 1: Promote health and well-being through partnerships and collaborations.

Objectives:

  1. Assist communities to adopt healthy behaviors.
  2. Influence policy and planning on health care issues and environmental factors that affect health.
  3. Assure a driven and skilled workforce to provide health promotion and disease prevention services.

GOAL 2: Strengthen health communication strategies through current evidence-based methods.

Objectives:

  1. Prioritize health initiatives using data driven information.
  2. Use data driven health and wellness communication methods to convey important and relevant information.
  3. Secure funding for health communication material publishing and broadcasting.

GOAL 3. Develop seasonal and monthly awareness messaging tailored to AI/AN communities.

Objectives:

  1. Increase public awareness regarding health topics.
  2. Work collaboratively with internal and external partners to disseminate health related topics in a timely manner.
  3. Provide timely accurate information to the public regarding health emergencies, increase of infectious disease, seasonal illnesses etc.
  4. Efficiently use health care resources, products and services.