Promoting colon cancer awareness
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March is Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month. And this year, Blue Beads Day falls on March 18. Both health observances highlight the importance of screening for colorectal cancer (more commonly known as colon cancer).
Colon cancer is a leading cause of cancer death among American Indians and Alaska Natives (AI/ANs) due, in part, to low screening rates. To address that disparity, the American Indian Cancer Foundation (AICAF) produced a 35-second video encouraging Native people to get checked for colon cancer.
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Increasing access to stigma-free HIV-related services
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March 20, the first day of spring, is National Native HIV/AIDS Awareness Day. This year, the health observance's theme is "Resilience + Action: Ending the Epidemic for Our Native Communities."
Key steps toward ending the epidemic include preventing, testing for, and treating HIV infection. Consistent access to stigma-free services can help people with HIV stay healthy and avoid spreading the virus to others. To that end, the Indian Health Service (IHS) National HIV/AIDS Program partners with communities to:
- educate people about HIV
- make HIV testing a routine part of health care
- improve access to care, treatment, and prevention services for people with HIV/AIDS
Additionally, American Indians and Alaska Natives may be eligible to receive HIV-related services funded by the Ryan White HIV/AIDS Program. Patients who opt to visit a non-IHS provider for such services are not required to obtain a referral or purchase order.
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Celebrating the achievements of Seeds of Native Health
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In observance of National Nutrition Month in March, take time to celebrate the Seeds of Native Health campaign's achievements.
Launched in 2015 by the Shakopee Mdewakanton Sioux Community (SMSC), the $11-million campaign focused on grant-making, research, and advocacy to improve Native nutrition and help tribes reassert their food sovereignty.
As described in its final report (PDF, 22.4 MB, 36 p), Seeds of Native Health played a pivotal role in forming the Native Farm Bill Coalition. Thanks to the Coalition's efforts, the 2018 Farm Bill included 63 provisions that benefit Indian Country.
SMSC's other achievements through Seeds of Native Health include:
- partnering with numerous organizations to increase access to and intake of healthy foods and safe drinking water
- investing in programs to improve early childhood development and nutrition
- supporting local efforts to address food security
- promoting scholarship on Native nutrition
Notably, the Healthy Children, Healthy Nations Fund is a Seeds of Native Health initiative. In 2019, the fund provided $220,000 in grants to 10 tribes and nonprofits in Minnesota—including the Native American Community Clinic, which is featured in this month's Spotlight article above.
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NIHB seeks input on 2 online training modules
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The National Indian Health Board (NIHB) recently developed 2 online training modules that are now available for piloting. Designed for tribal leaders, the first module focuses on public health and tribal consultation. The other module, intended for federal government partners, covers best practices for working with tribal nations. Input on the videos is sought from:
- tribal leaders
- current and former Tribal Advisory Committee members
- stakeholders from national/regional tribal organizations or area Indian health boards
- non-tribal stakeholders, such as state tribal liaisons
Access to the internet and a computer are required to complete the piloting. A small stipend may be available. Email aaljanabi@nihb.org for more information.
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SAMHSA suicide prevention grants
Deadline: March 23, 2020
View the suicide prevention funding opportunity
The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) is offering grants to address suicide and suicide attempts among adults age 25 and older. SAMHSA anticipates awarding 5 grantees up to $400,000 a year each for 3 years through this program. At least 1 award will be made to a tribe or tribal organization, pending adequate application volume.
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HIV/AIDS program capacity development grants
Deadline: March 26, 2020
View the capacity development funding opportunity
The Health Resources and Services Administration is offering funds to increase access to high-quality primary health care services for low-income, uninsured, and underserved people with HIV. Under the Ryan White HIV/AIDS Program Part C Capacity Development Program, up to 60 grants will be awarded for activities that can be completed within a year.
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International HIV/AIDS pre-conference scholarships
Deadline: March 31, 2020
View the pre-conference funding opportunity
A limited number of scholarships are available to cover registration fees for the 8th International Indigenous Pre-Conference on HIV & AIDS, to be held on July 4–5, 2020, in Oakland, CA. Successful applicants will be notified by May 1.
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NIHB's 11th Annual National Tribal Public Health Summit
March 17–19, 2020
Omaha, NE
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Register for the National Tribal Public Health Summit
Sponsored by the National Indian Health Board, the Tribal Public Health Summit covers health promotion and disease prevention, substance misuse and behavioral health, environmental health, and more. Pre-summit sessions on brain health and other topics will be held on March 17.
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CMS ITU Outreach and Education Trainings
March 18–19, 2020
Denver, CO
Register for the Denver ITU training
CMS ITU trainings cover tribal health benefits, enrollment and registration, purchased/referred care, the IHS revenue cycle, third-party billing, accounts receivable, and more. Attendees can also receive continuing education units.
Upcoming ITU Outreach and Education Trainings:
March 24–25, 2020, in Fort Defiance, AZ (Navajo)
March 31–April 1, 2020, in Bellevue, WA
April 21–22, 2020, in Albuquerque, NM
May 12–13, 2020, in Oklahoma City, OK
May 19–20, 2020, in Kansas City, MO
June 2–4, 2020, in Sacramento, CA
June 23–24, 2020, in Billings, MT
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NCUIH Conference
March 24–27, 2020
Washington, DC
Register for the NCUIH Conference
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The theme of this year's National Council of Urban Indian Health (NCUIH) Conference is "2020: New Opportunities for Urban Indian Health." Register online by March 19.
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Protecting Our Children Conference
March 29–April 1, 2020
Denver, CO
Register for the Protecting Our Children Conference
The theme of this year's Protecting Our Children Conference is "Honoring Our Past, Present, and Future Generations." The conference is sponsored by the National Indian Child Welfare Association.
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NICWA Training Institute
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April 1–3, 2020
Denver, CO
Register for the Training Institute
The National Indian Child Welfare Association (NICWA) training institutes are led by professionals with extensive experience working with tribal communities. The April training will focus on positive parenting and understanding the Indian Child Welfare Act of 1978.
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Tribal Public Health Conference 2020
April 14–16, 2020
Durant, OK
Register for the Tribal Public Health Conference
The Southern Plains Tribal Health Board and the 7th Generation Conference are hosting this year's Tribal Public Health Conference with the theme, "Reclaiming Healthy Narratives in Indian Country."
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Native Women's and Men's Health and Wellness Conference
April 14–16, 2020
San Diego, CA
Register for the Native Health and Wellness Conference
This conference is sponsored by the American Indian Institute within the University of Oklahoma's Division of Public and Community Services. The event focuses on 5 policy issue areas: (1) physical health; (2) social and emotional health; (3) substance misuse treatment and prevention; (4) spiritual well-being; and (5) art, culture, and language preservation.
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9th Annual Native Harm Reduction Summit
April 27–May 1, 2020
Mahnomen, MN
Register for the Native Harm Reduction Summit
This year's Native Harm Reduction Summit will explore how health equity and social justice issues impact substance use and disease transmission in tribal, urban Indian, and rural communities.
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Contact Us
Do you have news to share? Send it to coveringic@kauffmaninc.com for possible inclusion in an upcoming newsletter. Contact us with other comments or feedback, too.
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About the Newsletter
Covering Indian Country is published by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) Division of Tribal Affairs to share resources, success stories, and best practices with the people who connect tribal communities to health care coverage.
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