Advancing Public Health in Indian Country

What is a Tribal Epidemiology Center?

The Tribal Epidemiology Center (TEC) program enhances epidemiologic and public health support to AI/AN people and communities by performing seven core functions. The TECs have worked for more than 30 years to identify and address health risks, support disease prevention and control, and collaborate on common priorities while tailoring public health services to meet regional and local needs.

Funded in part by the Indian Health Service, TECs manage public health information systems, investigate diseases of concern, manage disease prevention and control programs, and respond to public health emergencies. In 2010, the TECs were designated as public health authorities and may be granted access to public health information held by the US Department of Health and Human Services for public health activities like surveillance, investigations, and interventions.

Together, the TECs offer services to 574 Tribes¹, 41 UIOs², and 9.7 million American Indian and Alaska Native (AI/AN) people³ nationwide.

12 Tribal Epidemiology Centers

What is Epidemiology?

Epidemiology is the study of the origin and causes of diseases in a community. It is the scientific method of investigation problem-solving used by disease detectives— epidemiologists, laboratory scientists, statisticians, physicians, other health care providers, and public health professionals—to get to the root of health problems and outbreaks in a community.*

*Source: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (n.d.). The Importance of Epidemiology. CDC 24/7.

¹The 574 Federally Recognized Indian Tribes in the United States, February 8, 2023. Retrieved from https://crsreports.congress.gov/product/pdf/R/R47414
²Overview of Urban Indian Organizations (UIOs). Retrieved from https://ncuih.org/uio-directory/
³2020 Census Illuminates Racial and Ethnic Composition of the Country. Retrieved from https://www.census.gov/library/stories/2021/08/improved-race-ethnicity-measures-reveal-united-states-population-much-more-multiracial.html

Tribal EpiCenters

Tribal EpiCentersMonday, January 13th, 2025 at 1:55pm

We are thrilled to announce the release of the digital version of the new Tribal Epidemiology Centers (TEC) publication showcasing the incredible work of the 12 TECs. The new publication titled "Tribal Epidemiology Centers: Strengthening American Indian and Alaska Native Public Health through Data, Collaboration, and Innovation" highlights the diverse projects, successes, challenges, and recommended best practices of each TEC. This collaborative effort was made possible by the dedication of the TECs, Tribes, Tribal organizations, Urban Indian Organizations, and the Tribal communities they serve.

You can access the digital version of the TEC publication at the link below.

https://tribalepicenters.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/TEC-PHR-BP-Digital-Edition-11-2024-compressed.pdf

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