The mission of the Indian Health Service is to raise the health status of the American Indian and Alaska Native people to the highest level possible. The Division of Epidemiology functions as the leading office in IHS for disease epidemiology, prevention and control activities for general infectious and chronic diseases as well as the following specific health conditions: cancer, tobacco use, breast and cervical cancer, vaccine-preventable diseases, sexually-transmitted diseases, and disease outbreaks. Additional activities of the Division include providing high level, responsive expertise on public health subject matter and methods, and strengthening the capacity for, and practice of, public health through mentor, training and development of a network of proactive, responsive tribally-operated epidemiology centers for tribes and regions.
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