We're in!

Description of Organization:
The Alaska Native Epidemiology Center (EpiCenter) is part of the Alaska Native Tribal Health Consortium's Division of Community Health Services. Our mission is to contribute to the wellness of Alaska Native people by monitoring and reporting on health data, providing technical assistance and supporting initiatives that promote health.

Description of project:
Currently, there are certain illnesses and health problems that are more common among Alaska Natives compared to the general population (i.e. certain cancers, infant death, injury, etc). The Alaska Native Epidemiology Center seeks to decrease the number of people affected by these illnesses through a new program called the Alaska Native Community-Based Focus on Health Disparities Program. This five-year project will include the following community-led activities:

• Develop a booklet and presentation that highlights the strengths of the Alaska Native people in terms of health, as well as medical challenges that they are facing - statewide and in each region.
• Travel to communities and discuss information and answer questions about diseases, injury and risk factors that are of interest to the community.
• Attend community meetings to determine the priorities and the next steps for addressing health issues.
• Work with tribal communities and/or organizations, when invited, on efforts to eliminate health issues of concern for Alaska Native people. The Epi Center can offer training and assistance on such topics as conducting program evaluation, using research methods and surveillance data to enhance a program, and grant writing. The program also has some money to purchase equipment necessary for the above-mentioned activities.
• Offer a scholarship program to assist Alaska Native students and health care workers/providers in obtaining training and guidance on public health practices.