This community-based participatory research (CBPR) project utilized a mixed-methods survey design to identify urban (Tulsa, OK) American Indian (AI) strengths and needs. Six hundred fifty AIs (550 adults and 100 youth) were surveyed regarding their attitudes and beliefs about their community. These results were used in conjunction with other…

Reviewing the history of Indian health care in the U.S., this article argues that passage of the Indian Health Care Improvement Act, now before Congress, would provide better health services for American Indians via a delivery system that encourages Indian participation and self-actualization. (JC)

Planning and research related to long-term care for American Indian elderly population lag behind state-of-the-art. Indian Health Service, major health care provider for this population, has resisted developing services specific to older tribal members. Innovative efforts have, however, emerged at local level. (Author/NB)

Attracting over 550 Indian and Alaska Native participants representing 139 tribes, the conference focused on formulation of a National Indian Policy on Aging and paying tribute to American Indian and Alaskan Native elders. Section I of the proceedings presents an introduction with background information on the conference and conference format…

Explores the operation of the Indian health care system, considering five major areas: the prevailing climate and Indian health indicators; federal government responsibility for care; Indian Health Service structures, capacity, and delivery; Indian Health Service resource allocation process; and health care access, eligibility, and rationing.…

Five individual study reports included in this volume detail a project to determine the prevalence of disability among American Indians, to identify special problems of American Indians related to vocational rehabilitation, and to survey the extent of cooperative effort among programs conducted under the Rehabilitation Act of 1973. The first…

A descriptive analysis of the problems of the elderly at the San Carlos Indian Reservation regarding health, illness, social pathology, environment, health delivery systems, and felt needs was conducted. Interview questionnaires were used to obtain data from 59 elderly on the reservation and 21 in an off-reservation nursing home; 39 younger family…

The Senate Select Committee on Indian Affairs is considering legislation to improve mental health services to American Indians and Alaska Natives. This report is in response to the Committee's request for information on the mental health needs of Indian adolescents and the services available to them. The section on mental health problems among…

The Indian Health Committee met in Aberdeen, South Dakota, during the week of May 23, 1977 to (1) review the environmental health services provided to the tribal units on the 15 Indian reservations located in North Dakota, South Dakota, Nebraska and Iowa, and (2) make recommendations for improvement or expansion of current programs, if needed. The…

Addressing American Indians and the Indian Health Service (IHS), this report focuses on the process of Indian involvement and self-determination in health, emphasizing improvement of the effectiveness and responsiveness of Indian health services. Data derived from written documents, statistical figures, and personal interviews with over 200 people…

Comprehensive health care (preventive, curative, rehabilitative, and environmental) for more than 930,000 eligible American Indians and Alaska Natives is the responsibility of the Indian Health Service (IHS). Since 1955, this agency of the U.S. Public Health Service has made notable progress in raising the health status of Indians and Alaska…

This is the final report on the first phase of a two phase comprehensive study of the delivery of Department of Health, Education and Welfare (DHEW) services to ethnic minorities. Phase one of the study was concerned with the extent to which services were delivered to Asian Americans, American Indians, and Spanish speaking people. The study sample…

Members of the Health Services Management class conducted a descriptive study of the perceived health problems of the people of Santa Clara Pueblo and the management processes involved in the delivery of health services to them. Data were obtained from personal interviews with 38 Tribal members, 9 officals, 6 employees working primarily in the…

A total of 135 representatives of 35 tribes and members of 22 Indian community organizations, program, and clubs providing services to the approximately 20,00 people who make up the Chicago American Indian community, participated in this conference whose goals were: (1) to develop statements on common issues, (2) to develop a more effective agency…

Focusing on the physical well-being and personal environment of the Indian elderly, the conference attracted 3,000 persons from 209 Indian tribes. Its program was organized into: (1) description of existing resources serving elderly Indians; (2) determination of the additional or remedial action required; and (3) identification of methodology for…