Covering Indian Country – June 2021

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June is Men’s Health Month

American Indian and Alaska Native (AI/AN) men are more likely to be diagnosed with type 2 diabetes than non-Hispanic White, non-Hispanic Black, or Asian men.

Data show that interventions like the Special Diabetes Program for Indians—Diabetes Prevention initiative can help prevent or delay the onset of diabetes. However, most participants in that initiative were women.

Recognizing the need for diabetes prevention programs that are specifically designed for AI/AN men, Washington State University’s Institute for Research and Education to Advance Community Health designed and implemented Strong Men, Strong Communities (SMSC).

SMSC is a health and fitness program for overweight Native American men with no previous diagnosis of diabetes. As noted in an article in the American Journal of Men’s Health, the program reduces participants’ risk of developing type 2 diabetes. It also creates a culturally safe environment for men to reclaim traditional understanding and practices.

National HIV Testing Day: June 27

In observance of National HIV Testing Day, download and share 2 posters from the Urban Indian Health Institute:

• Know Your HIV Status (PDF, 48 KB, 1 p)
• Stand Up to HIV Stigma (PDF, 902 KB, 1 p)

Medications are available to help manage HIV infection and prevent transmission to an HIV-positive person’s partner. However, many people who have HIV do not realize they are infected. Education to promote HIV testing and combat HIV-related stigma can increase the number of Native people who are treated.

Protecting Native youth from suicide

A new resource is available to support Native youth suicide prevention efforts.

Culture Forward: A Strengths and Culture Based Tool to Protect Our Native Youth from Suicide (PDF, 15.5 MB, 56 pp) highlights core themes that emerged during 6 months of listening sessions with more than 60 Native stakeholders.

Developed by the Johns Hopkins Center for American Indian Health (JHCAIH) in partnership with Casey Family Programs, the report includes a foreword by current U.S. Secretary of the Interior, Deb Haaland (Pueblo of Laguna).

Hear Secretary Haaland’s thoughts on JHCAIH’s work in a brief video about the importance of suicide prevention efforts (1:06).

Achieving food security and advancing food sovereignty

People are more likely to be healthy when they have enough to eat and the available food choices are nutritious and affordable. However, many families are struggling to put food on the table as a result of the pandemic.

That’s why tribal leaders and presenters from the U.S. Department of Agriculture, the Administration for Children & Families (ACF), and the Administration for Community Living recently participated in Securing Our Sustenance, a webinar on food security and food sovereignty.

ACF and the Administration for Native Americans also created a food security resource guide (PDF, 2.3 MB, 6 pp) for tribal leaders. The guide highlights federal food security grant opportunities and current COVID-19 program waivers and flexibilities that are available to support the efforts of:

• Childcare and early learning providers
• Elder care providers
• Community leaders and organizations that serve individuals and families

2021 Navigator Notice of Funding Opportunity

Application deadline: July 6

View the NOFO opportunity, (search for CA-NAV-21-001)

CMS has released an $80-million funding opportunity to bring on navigators in states with a federally facilitated marketplace. Through the 2021 Navigator Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO), navigators will provide education and outreach about affordable health care coverage options and assist with the Marketplace enrollment process.

New and past navigators are welcome to apply. Learn more about this opportunity through the Technical Assistance Session on June 28, from 3–4 pm eastern. Applicants may submit questions in advance of the session to Navigatorgrants@cms.hhs.gov.

Closing the Gap with Social Determinants of Health Accelerator Plans

Deadline: July 6

View the Closing the Gap with SDOH Accelerator Plans funding opportunity

The National Center for Chronic Disease Prevention and Health Promotion is offering grants to develop multisector action plans that address social determinants of health (SDOH) in communities experiencing health disparities and inequities.

Approximately 20 awards of up to $125,000 each will be made for a 1-year performance period. Tribes and tribal organizations are encouraged to apply.

I Strengthen My Nation challenge competitions

Deadline: July 7

View the I Strengthen My Nation funding opportunity

The National Institute on Drug Abuse, in partnership with the Northwest Portland Area Indian Health Board, is hosting 2 challenge competitions for youth with knowledge of American Indian and/or Alaska Native culture.

• The Art Challenge invites individuals and groups to submit any original form of art and describe how it depicts resilience against drug abuse. Approximately 25 prizes of either $500 (individual) or $1,000 (group) will be awarded for each winning entry.
• The Community Project Intervention Challenge invites youth to submit a 3–5 minute video and a 5-page written proposal describing a community project that promotes resilience against substance misuse. Up to $10,000 will be awarded for each winning entry.