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Rural Tribal Health – News

News stories from the past 60 days.

Apr 24, 2024 - Profiles the only psychiatrist in Navajo Nation who blends Western behavioral healthcare and cultural practices in his delivery of care. Discusses mental healthcare access, diabetes, recruiting healthcare workforce, and the impact of COVID-19.
Source: Cronkite News
Apr 23, 2024 - Announces $700 million in funding for tribal communities for water and sewage infrastructure as part of the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law. Also announces a partnership between the Bureau of Reclamation and the Indian Health Service (IHS) as well as a partnership between the United States Public Health Services (USPHS) Commissioned Corps and IHS. The partnerships will address barriers in access to resources as well as public health workforce needs.
Source: U.S. Department of Health and Human Services
Apr 19, 2024 - Summarizes a recent Arizona meeting addressing higher suicide rates in Native American communities. Notes the impact that long travel distances for reservation residents can negatively impact mental health. Discusses the role of historical trauma in disparate rates.
Source: Cronkite News
Apr 19, 2024 - The National Council on Disability will hold a virtual quarterly business meeting on May 9, 2024, from 1:00-5:00 p.m. Eastern. Agenda items include reports from the Executive Committee and Chair, policy updates, policy proposals for fiscal year 2025, a presentation by the Intertribal Disability Advisory Council (IDAC) on living with a disability on tribal lands, a public comment session focused on public facilities and public transportation, and Council Member training on National Archives and Records Administration (NARA) requirements. Registration is required.
Source: Federal Register
Apr 15, 2024 - Discusses the social and economic factors contributing to early mortality for Native Americans. Highlights community health workers, food insecurity, generational trauma, and interventions attempting to reduce disparities.
Source: CBS News, KFF Health News
Apr 7, 2024 - Announces the Tribal Environmental Impact Network (TEIN), a cohort of professionals interested in environmental issues in tribal communities. Areas include environmental health, climate, emergency response, transportation, and more. TEIN will offer technical assistance in accessing funding opportunities. Includes an interest form for experts interested in participating.
Source: National Indian Health Board
Mar 29, 2024 - Announces new provisions giving Head Start programs additional flexibility to serve children in tribal communities and children of farmworkers. Tribally-run Head Start programs can enroll children regardless of family income, and any child who has one or more family member engaged in agricultural employment is now eligible for Head Start.
Source: U.S. Department of Health and Human Services
Mar 22, 2024 - Notice from the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) seeking comments on updates to its policy and directive on VA Tribal Consultation. VA has gathered and reviewed tribal input and recommendations from previous requests for comments, tribal consultation meetings, and the VA's Advisory Committee on Tribal and Indian Affairs and proposes several edits to the Tribal Consultation Policy in response to the tribal recommendations. Comments are due by April 22, 2024.
Source: Federal Register
Mar 21, 2024 - Describes a naloxone distribution program on the Flathead Indian Reservation. Discusses their approach as a harm-reduction method for reducing overdose deaths.
Source: Char-Koosta News
Mar 20, 2024 - The Indian Health Service (IHS) is accepting applications for grants for Native Public Health Resilience. The purpose of this program is to build on and strengthen community resilience by supporting wider access to the 10 Essential Public Health Services (EPHS) within established public health programs serving American Indian and Alaska Native (AI/AN) communities. Applications are due by May 14, 2024.
Source: Federal Register
Related funding: Native Public Health Resilience
Last Updated: 4/25/2024