In a recent webinar hosted by Native News Online, the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society endorsed the need for representative clinical trials that reflect the diversity of the U.S. population in order to receive the full benefits of research. This representation extends to Native Americans, yet finding Native volunteers for clinical trials has been difficult despite how the representation can improve a developing treatment's effectiveness for Native communities. In this article, Native News Online reviews the overall need for Indigenous representation in clinical trials as well as dispelling myths and fears associated with clinical trials. Read more here.

To accompany the National Indian Health Board’s (NIHB’s) online Brain Health Action Institute training module, a training to help people address dementia in their communities using the eight strategies outlined in the Healthy Brain Initiative Road Map to Indian Country, NIHB has developed a workbook that can be downloaded or printed and used as a replacement for the training module or alongside it. To access the workbook, read more here.

The National Indian Health Board (NIHB) has developed a quality improvement survey to gather input and information from Tribal Health Directors on COVID-19-related challenges that their respective Tribes and Tribal organizations experienced from July 2020 to February 2021. NIHB is requesting Tribal Health Directors to please consider completing the survey and share any information. Through the survey, NIHB is seeking to understand what has occurred and what is currently taking place on the COVID-19 front lines in the Tribal communities we serve. There is much to learn from our experiences over the past year and NIHB stands ready to listen, learn, and act, according to the wishes of the Tribes.

One of the goals of The National Indian Health Board’s (NIHB) Project Firstline: Tribal Infection Prevention and Control Capacity Building Program is to “develop and/or adapt existing materials to inform Tribal health professionals about important components of infection prevention and control (IPC)”. To support this endeavor, NIHB is in the process of compiling current materials and plans which Tribal Health Organizations and Systems currently use or have used. NIHB is seeking assistance with gathering information about existing infection control learning materials and/or infection control response plans. Recognizing that many Tribes and Tribal organizations have set an example in their response through great planning, NIHB requests that anyone willing to share their materials to please contact Carmen Sanders at [email protected].

Those interested are invited to participate in one in-depth interview with NIHB staff on the following topics, including but not limited to:

We expect each interview to last between 45 to 60 minutes, and will be conducted over Zoom or phone. At the end of these sessions NIHB will compile general themes from the additional interviews to inform a white paper that will help guide future CDC injury prevention surveillance activities for AI/AN communities.

If you are interested in participating in an interview, please contact Nina Martin at [email protected] or 202-548-7299!

Job descriptions are available at www.nihb.org.

“The challenges facing tribal communities are deep, complex and layered. But by articulating the impact of disparities in health outcomes and what contributes to them in an accessible and holistic manner, we can lean on our communal strengths to improve public health.” Dr. Cynthia Lindquist, President, Cankdeska Cikana Community College, Health Disparities Report 2021, p.29.

America’s Health Rankings, United Health Foundation, has recently released a report based on 30 measures related to social and economic factors, physical environment, clinical care, behaviors and health outcomes. Data on American Indian and Alaska Native communities is available. Read more here.

Thursday, July 8, 2021 from 3:00 PM - 4:00 PM ET

The Indian Health Service (IHS) is hosting an All Tribal and Urban Indian Organization Leaders Call on Thursday, July 8, for their monthly call to provide important IHS updates and to extend an opportunity for leaders to share input with IHS officials. Read more here.

Friday, July 16, 2021 from 1:00 PM - 2:00 PM ET

The National American Indian & Alaska Native PTTC, in collaboration with the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration's (SAMHSA) Tribal Training and Technical Assistance Center, is holding virtual trainings for prevention specialists to support our Native communities. These monthly trainings will cover topics such as crisis response, creating safe spaces to heal, sexual assault awareness, youth engagement, food sovereignty, et cetera and will be sharing resources and encourage peer support among participants. Events are held monthly on every third Friday. Read more here.

Please join the National Indian Health Board (NIHB), for an Infectious Disease Preparedness Learning Community (IDLC) webinar on how viruses, bacteria, and fungi can cause illnesses and spread diseases. Webinar attendees will gain knowledge on the following:

Information provided can assist Tribes in educating their citizens on the basics of viruses, bacteria, fungi, and parasites and how it can spread and cause illnesses. Read more here.