National Indian Health Board (NIHB) would like to thank those who registered for the 11th Annual Tribal Public Health Summit (TPHS) which was scheduled for March 17 - 19, 2020 in Omaha, NE and postponed due to the COVID-19 pandemic. NIHB would also like to thank registrants for continuing to support the mission and vision of the organization, as well as the work it does to support public health and Tribal health. After much consideration, National Indian Health Board has decided to include public health content from the TPHS in this year's National Tribal Health Conference (NTHC) scheduled for October 13 - 16, 2020. As of August 10, 2020, all TPHS registrations were migrated to the 2020 NTHC. TPHS registrants were emailed with more information for the National Tribal Health Conference. Please read more here for important information regarding this migration, including refund deadlines, and visit the NTHC website here for more information about this exciting and important annual event, now virtual!

A recent Morbidity and Mortality Report (MMWR) published on August 20, 2020, by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention uses data from the 2019 Youth Risk Behavior Survey to assess use of electronic vapor products, cigarettes, cigars, and smokeless tobacco among U.S. high school students, including frequency of use, trends in use over time, and usual source of electronic vapor products. In 2019, current electronic vapor product use was 32.7%, current cigarette smoking was 6.0%, current cigar smoking was 5.7%, and current smokeless tobacco use was 3.8%. Implementing evidence-based tobacco control strategies, combined with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration’s regulatory efforts, is important for preventing and reducing all forms of tobacco product use among youths. In addition, continued surveillance of all tobacco products is needed to guide and evaluate public health policy at local, state, Tribal, and national levels. Read more here.

In August 2019, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, and state, territorial, local, and Tribal health departments began the investigation of a national outbreak of e-cigarette, or vaping, product-use associated lung injury (EVALI). After peaking in September 2020, EVALI cases and deaths have since declined. This study describes the pathological findings in autopsy and biopsy tissues submitted to CDC for the evaluation of suspected EVALI. This study also includes the first description of findings in a series of autopsies evaluated for suspected EVALI. The article and related audio are available online.

On August 20, the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) published a notice of a comment request on “Enhancing Linkage of Sexually Transmitted Infection and Human Immunodeficiency Virus Surveillance Data” for the Ryan White HIV/AIDS program evaluation. This evaluation will assess the effectiveness of the Enhancing Sexually Transmitted Infection (STI) linkage demonstration project. Comments are due October 19, 2020. Read more here.

The National Indian Health Board (NIHB) is pleased to announce Supporting Tribes to Increase Commercial Tobacco Cessation, a funding opportunity for Tribal governments, Tribal health departments, and Tribal health care facilities/health systems seeking to implement projects to increase commercial tobacco cessation, electronic nicotine delivery systems (ENDS) cessation and ‘quit smoking’ attempts by promoting evidence-based services and activities, and/or adapting evidence-based health systems changes. Read more here.

The National Indian Health Board (NIHB) is pleased to announce a funding opportunity titled Tribal School Readiness. With funding from the Indian Health Service, NIHB is offering a funding opportunity for Tribes and Tribal Organizations seeking to strengthen school preparation and readiness for safe operations during the COVID-19 pandemic. Applications from schools on Tribal lands and schools serving a large Tribal student population will also be considered. This funding is intended to fulfill immediate Tribal school readiness needs related to COVID-19. Read more here.

With NLAPH, groups will develop high-performing teamwork and communication skills while working on an issue that is already a priority in the community through an applied health leadership project. Learning opportunities throughout the year include an engaging leadership retreat, web-based discussions, coaching support from national experts, and peer networking. Read more here.

The National Indian Health Board (NIHB) is seeking to create a pool of resources which Tribes can access when planning or implementing their own COVID-19 response. To this end, NIHB is asking Tribes to share with us any tools, operational plans, guides, policies, communication products, etc. that has helped your Tribe combat this pandemic.  The materials can be de-identified, if needed. These resources will be placed online within NIHB’s COVID-19 Tribal Response Center alongside other community health materials. We hope this aids Tribes to build on successes and support each other in the collective effort to mitigate the impact of the pandemic on Indian Country. 

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has developed a Smoke-ready Toolbox for Wildfires. The toolbox includes resources that public health officials and others can use to help educate people about the risks of smoke exposure and actions they can take to protect their health. Smoke from wildfires reduces air quality and puts individuals with underlying conditions (such as asthma, COPD, or heart disease) and others at risk of poor health outcomes. The EPA, the U.S. Forest Service, and other federal, state, and community agencies and organizations work together to help prepare the public to reduce their health risk before a wildfire. The toolbox also includes links to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's Wildfire Smoke and COVID-19 frequently asked questions and resources for environmental health professionals. Read more here.

Wildfire smoke can irritate your lungs, cause inflammation, affect your immune system, and make you more prone to lung infections, including COVID-19. Because of the pandemic, preparing for wildfires may be different this year. Know how wildfire smoke can affect you and your loved ones during the COVID-19 pandemic and what you can do to protect yourselves. Visit the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's Wildfire Smoke and COVID-19 website here.

This webinar introduced participants to key principles in Indian law and Tribal public health law, discussed the impact of COVID-19 in Indian Country, and identified response strategies based upon practical experience. The webinar was presented by the Network for Public Health Law and the American Society for Law, Medicine and Ethics. Recording and slides available here.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has launched a new website to provide information on how the general public can stay safe during and after hurricanes or other natural disasters. It contains information on preparedness and recovery during the COVID-19 response.

The National Indian Health Board is committed to serving Tribal Nations in response to the coronavirus outbreak. We welcome your requests and feedback. Contact Courtney Wheeler at [email protected] or 202-507-4081.

The National Tribal Health Conference (NTHC) is the largest American Indian and Alaska Native specific gathering each year focused solely on health. The conference explores health policy and its impact on Tribes, advances Tribal capacity to expand policy work, and serves as a forum to discuss policy and political work in the arenas of Tribal health care, public, behavioral, and environmental health. Read more and register here!

The Health Resources & Services Administration (HRSA) is conducting a rapid Tribal consultation to seek input and Tribal recommendations on the allocations of CARES Act Provider Relief Fund. Speakers include Tom Engels (Administrator, HRSA) and Elizabeth "Betsy" Wieand (Lead Policy Advisor, HRSA). Read more here.

The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Region II is celebrating National Preparedness Month by hosting “Lunch and Learn” webinars every Tuesday in September from 12:00 - 12:30 PM ET. FEMA Region II staff will provide important tips from each of their divisions – preparedness, grants, mitigation, response and recovery. Learn how you can prepare yourself, your family and your community for emergencies.

Join Southwest Mental Health Technology Transfer Center Network (MHTTC) and the Region IV Public Health Training Center for a webinar on mental health and the coronavirus pandemic. COVID-19 has been called the “patchwork pandemic” because of its uneven impact across regions and subpopulations. Emerging evidence indicates a similar pattern for the mental health effects of the pandemic. Dr. Benjamin Druss will review what is currently known about COVID-19 and mental health, with a focus on which populations are at elevated risk of developing behavioral health problems. He will address the complementary roles that clinicians and public health practitioners can play in addressing the mental health consequences of the pandemic. Register here.

The National Indian Health Board (NIHB) is hosting a webinar on eldercare during the COVID-19 pandemic. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) the risk for severe illness from coronavirus infection increases with age. This webinar will present ways we can help to prevent illness, and care for our elders during these unprecedented times. Join us to hear presenters discuss topics ranging from caring for elders during the pandemic, preventing infection among this vulnerable population and tips for caregivers. Learn more about helping and protecting elders in your community. Read more here.

Wednesday-Thursday, September 16-17, 2020

Please join the National Indian Health Board (NIHB) and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention for a two-day, action-oriented public health institute on brain health on September 16 & 17, 2020. This is rescheduled from our original March 2020 date.

This institute, facilitated by NIHB, will support Tribes and Tribal organizations in using the Healthy Brain Initiative Road Map for Indian Country to start conversations, as well as develop and plan strategies for improving brain health in their own communities. The Road Map for Indian Country is the first-ever public health guide focused on dementia in AI/AN communities.

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, we are delivering this action institute virtually via Zoom. Participation is free and open to all who are ready to learn and champion brain health!

Please RSVP at the link below to secure your spot. Space is limited and will be accepted on a first-come, first-serve basis. Reserve your spot today here!

The Northwest Portland Area Indian Health Board (NPAIHB) invites healthcare providers to join the second phase of their Trans & Gender-Affirming Care ECHO. This virtual training curriculum will ensure registered providers have the resources they need to create affirming clinical environments and provide appropriate healthcare for gender-diverse patients. The sessions will include continuing education credits. Register here.

Adult-focused sessions: 4th Mondays at 2:00 PM ET, beginning October 26th, 2020

Pediatric-focused sessions: 2nd Mondays at 2:00 PM ET, beginning November 9th, 2020