Tracking and preventing the spread of COVID-19

The emergence of the highly transmissible Omicron variant emphasizes the continued need for data visualization tools that track COVID-19’s spread in tribal communities. It also underscores the importance of COVID-19 booster shots, which help prevent hospitalizations and deaths.

Over the past year, American Indian and Alaska Native (AI/AN) populations have achieved considerable success with respect to COVID-19 vaccination. A recent article in The New England Journal of Medicine, Covid-19 Vaccination in American Indians and Alaska Natives — Lessons from Effective Community Responses, attributes that success to several factors, including Indian Health Service and tribal health infrastructure and culturally attuned messaging.

Another article in The Spokesman-Review highlights the role of vaccine mandates in preventing COVID-19 infections at the Colville Tribal Convalescent Center in Nespelem, WA.

Respite care toolkit for elders with dementia

Access to culturally appropriate respite care can enhance caregivers’ quality of life and enable people with dementia to age in place.

To that end, the International Association for Indigenous Aging has announced the availability of a new Indigenous respite care toolkit that will help build capacity for the provision of community-based respite care.

The toolkit is the result of collaboration between:

• Morning Star Lodge, an Indigenous community-based health research lab
• File Hills Qu’Appelle Tribal Council
• A community research advisory committee comprised of people from 11 First Nations communities

Email Morning Star Lodge for copies of the toolkit, which can be adapted to meet the needs of Indigenous peoples and communities outside of Canada.

Rural Public Health Workforce Training Network Program

Deadline: March 18

Learn more about the Rural Public Health Workforce Training Network Program

The Health Resources and Services Administration’s (HRSA) Federal Office of Rural Health Policy is offering funds to expand public health capacity through health care job development, training, and placement in rural communities affected by COVID-19. Tribes and tribal organizations are encouraged to apply.

Small Health Care Provider QI Program

Deadline: March 21

Learn more about the Small Health Care Provider QI Program

HRSA's Small Health Care Provider Quality Improvement Program is offering funds to support the planning and implementation of quality improvement (QI) activities for rural primary care providers or health care service providers that serve rural residents. The program anticipates awarding 40 grantees up to $200,000 each for a 4-year performance period. Grantees will be required to use an evidence-based model or promising practice to achieve:

• Improved health outcomes
• Expanded capacity for essential health care services
• Increased financial sustainability

CDC tribal consultation on AI/AN worker safety and health

February 3, 4:15–6 pm Eastern
Register for the CDC NIOSH tribal consultation session

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s (CDC) National Institute of Occupation Safety and Health (NIOSH) will host a virtual tribal consultation session to receive input and recommendations on a draft document, American Indian and Alaska Native (AI/AN) Worker Safety and Health Strategic Plan, 2022–2031 (PDF, 219 KB, 8 pp).

Webinars on dementia

The Alzheimer’s Foundation of America (AFA) hosts webinars for case managers, social workers, health care professionals, and others who support elders with dementia and people affected by dementia-related illnesses. Upcoming AFA webinars are listed below.

• February 3, 6–8 pm Eastern: Alzheimer’s Disease: Beyond Signs and Symptoms
• March 16, 2–4 pm Eastern: Can Psychological Trauma Increase the Risk of Dementia?

American Society on Aging annual conference

April 11–14, New Orleans, LA
Register for the American Society on Aging annual conference

Plan to attend this year’s American Society on Aging (ASA) annual conference. The conference’s theme is “Advancing Economic Security.” Keynotes, general sessions, workshops, and special events will cover the following 5 priority areas:

• Justice and equity
• Innovation and social impact
• Health and well-being
• Economic security
• Ageism and culture

ASA requires all conference attendees, speakers, and exhibitors to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 and adhere to the requirements of both the City of New Orleans and the host hotel.