Covering Indian Country – November 2024

Health observances

Diabetes awareness

During American Diabetes Month, review the CMS Diabetes Strategy – Impact Report 2024 (PDF, 1 MB, 4 pp) to learn what CMS has done to:

• Expand Medicare coverage of diabetes screening
• Increase access to services and supports that help prevent diabetes
• Make insulin and other diabetes medications more affordable

Also, watch a 5-minute StoryBraid video about how the Special Diabetes Program for Indians (SDPI) helps tribal members become more physically active.

Filmed during the 2024 SDPI Grantee Conference, the video features Constance Brushbreaker, SDPI director for the Rosebud Sioux Tribe.

Alzheimer’s disease awareness

In observance of National Alzheimer’s Disease Awareness Month, share a new Healthy Brain, Healthy Aging rack card (PDF, 2.5 MB, 2 pp) from the International Association for Indigenous Aging.

The rack card reminds Native people that staying connected to their communities and culture can help lower their risk of dementia. To that end, the rack card recommends:

• Engaging in traditional practices, like storytelling, beading, and singing
• Staying active by dancing or walking
• Preparing and harvesting traditional foods and medicines
• Learning, practicing, and teaching their tribe’s language

Lung cancer awareness

November is National Lung Cancer Awareness Month, and November 21 is the Great American Smokeout.

Both observances highlight the connection between the habitual use of commercial tobacco and the high rates of lung cancer in tribal communities.

Help address the burden of lung cancer in Indian Country by sharing the American Indian Cancer Foundation’s Sacred Breath campaign toolkit (PDF, 11.5 MB, 13 pp). The toolkit includes sample #SacredBreath social media posts and suggestions to help improve lung health in communities across Indian Country.

Also, remind people that Medicare, Medicaid, the Marketplace, and most health insurance offer some level of coverage for interventions to help consumers stop smoking.

Additional resources

Helping pediatric clinicians provide culturally safe care

An online continuing education course to help pediatric health care professionals better address the needs of Indigenous children and adolescents is now available at no charge.

Funded in part through a contract between the American Academy of Pediatrics and Indian Health Service, the course:

• Discusses the impact of health inequities and historical trauma on lives and wellbeing
• Explains how personal and systemic anti-Indigenous racism affects clinical interactions
• Describes culturally safe care and how it benefits Indigenous families
• Identifies strategies to support the role of traditional health and healing practices in Indigenous communities

Funding opportunities

Commonwealth Fund Fellowship in Minority Health Policy

Deadline: December 1
View the Commonwealth Fund funding opportunity

The Commonwealth Fund Fellowship in Minority Health Policy prepares physicians to transform health care delivery systems and address social determinants of health. Fellows will complete academic work leading to a Master of Public Health or Master of Public Administration degree at Harvard University.

The Commonwealth Fund will award up to 5 fellowships. Physicians from groups underrepresented in medicine are encouraged to apply.

Calendar of events