Urban Indian Health Institute

On March 5^th, 2008, the Urban Indian Health Institute releases their ground breaking report titled: Reported Health and Health-Influencing Behaviors Among Urban American Indians and Alaska Natives. The report was released at a Native Symposium titled, Through Native Eyes: Identity, Perception and Recognition. The report finds additional evidence that American Indians and Alaska Natives living in urban areas face major hurdles in reaching health status similar to their fellow Americans. Findings from the Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System, a national telephone survey conducted yearly and coordinated by the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), show America Indians and Alaska Natives living in selected urban areas were more likely to report difficulty accessing health care, had higher rates of risk behavior, and experienced worse health outcomes than the general population. Income differences were shown to play a role in explaining some of the health disparities, but differences in some reported health indicators were not income dependent. To down load a copy of the report, please visit: Reported Health and Health-Influencing Behaviors Among Urban American Indians and Alaska Natives.

For more information on the report findings, please contact: Maile Taualii MaileT@uihi.org, (206)812-3030.

The UIHI conducted a Maternal, Infant and Child Health Capacity Needs Assessment to ascertain the maternal, infant and child health (MICH) services as well as the accessibility, quality, and affordability of those services provided by the 34 urban Indian health organizations (UIHO) funded through Title V of the Health Care Improvement Act. The purpose of the assessment was to assist in identifying specific assets, limitations or gaps in the urban Indian health program as a whole.

Beginning in 2006, the UIHI carried out the nationwide assessment via both online and mail-in survey. In 2007, additional sites participated for a total response rate of 71% (24 sites). The report at the link below summarizes the results from both survey years.

The findings of this capacity needs assessment highlight current areas of strength and need in providing MICH care to urban AI/AN. Findings document a need for additional pregnancy and infant health services at many sites. Available MCH data confirm a number of areas that put urban AI/AN at risk for adverse birth outcomes and significantly increased rates of infant mortality compared to the general population. Increased resources to support MCH services offered by UIHOs may effectively reduce observed disparities.

The findings of the assessment may be used to increase awareness and understanding of program needs, improve stability of funding for the urban Indian health program and help advocate for the populations served. The UIHI hopes that you find the report to be useful to your organization and we welcome suggestions about future projects.

For more information on the report findings please contact: Shira Rutman shirar@uihi.org, (415) 374-7868

Great News!!  We are pleased to announce that the UIHI was awarded the Breast and Cervical Cancer CDC grant titled: The Key to Survival: Unlocking the Knowledge around Breast and Cervical Cancer Screening. Many of you gave us letters of support and encouraged us to pursue this grant. We are grateful for your support. In the next coming weeks we will be getting this project off the ground. We are very excited to begin this new work and look forward to the continued partnership.  Please visit this site for coming information. Thank you again for supporting the UIHI and this important work of addressing the information and technical assistance needs of the Urban Indian community.