A Report from National Indian Health Board
20th Annual Consumer Conference
St. Paul, Minnesota
September 29 - October 2, 2003

SESSIONS

Indian Health Policy 101
Moderator: Yvette Roubideaux

This was an extremely helpful session that lived up to its title. The class provided a basic overview of the history, politics, and current issues in Indian health for those who are new to Indian health, including new elected tribal officials, new tribal health directors/personnel, and new Indian health professionals. The second portion of the workshop focused on an overview of the Henry J. Kaiser Family Foundation's Native American Health Policy Fellowship Program. Several fellows will provide basic updates to current legislation and issues related to American Indian and Alaska Native health on which they are working during the year in Washington, DC.

http://www.nihb.org/docs/acc03_workshop_ihp_101.doc

IHS Director Dr. Charles Grim addresses the conference
(Photo courtesy of NIHB)

Public Health Information Systems and Emergency Preparedness in Indian Country
Moderator: Ralph Bryan

The workshop provided participants with practical information about the critical role of public health information systems and tribal-state-federal partnerships in improving disease prevention and emergency preparedness efforts in Indian country.

Cancer 101: A Cancer Education and Training Program for American Indian and Alaska Natives
Moderators: Pattie King, Ruth Jensen and Teresa Guthrie

This workshop focused on Cancer 101, an educational tool designed to provide basic information about cancer. The modules were written in collaboration with Northwest tribes and the Northwest Cancer Control Project of the Northwest Portland Area Indian Health Board (NPAIHB). The modules were designed to be adapted to the needs of the learner.

Native American Elderly and Long-Term Care
Moderator: Todd Hansen

Native American elderly are one of the fastest growing subpopulations in America. As the lifespan of Indians continue to approach that of Whites, greater numbers of Indian people are reaching old age- and needing specialized care. When these elderly need nursing home care, most are sent off to a "White man" facility some distance from the reservation that is their home. However, more and more tribes are looking into tribally owned or operated nursing homes on their reservations. The session looked at the options that tribes and Indian elders must consider as they evaluate nursing home options.