A. Tribal Epidemiology Centers are housed in organizations who serve American Indian/Alaska Native tribal and urban communities by managing public health information systems, investigating diseases of concern, managing disease prevention and control programs, responding to public health emergencies, and coordinating these activities with other public health authorities.

There are 12 TECs in the United States. Each TEC is designated to serve the federally recognized tribes within one of the 12 Indian Health Service (IHS) administrative areas, although one TEC serves two IHS areas and another TEC serves UIHOs throughout the nation. TECs are located at tribes or Tribal organizations which are authorized under the Indian Self Determination Act to act on behalf of AI/AN Tribes.

A: TECs have the authority to conduct public health activities on behalf of AI/AN tribes and people. TECs are expressly designated as public health authorities. TECs add one more layer to the United States public health infrastructure: Federal, state, local… And now Tribal! Legislation on public health authority from the Indian Health Care Improvement Act (IHCIA) can be found here (PDF 2MB). *Title 25-Indians, Chapter 18-Indian Health Care, Subchapter II-Health Services, U.S. Code § 1621m – Epidemiology Centers.

A: TECs have 7 Core Functions: In consultation with and on the request of Indian tribes, tribal organizations, and urban Indian organizations, each Service area epidemiology center established under this section shall, with respect to the applicable Service area:

• Collect data relating to, and monitor progress made toward meeting, each of the health status objectives of the Service, the Indian tribes, tribal organizations, and urban Indian organizations in the Service area;
• Evaluate existing delivery systems, data systems, and other systems that impact the improvement of Indian health;
• Assist Indian tribes, tribal organizations, and urban Indian organizations in identifying highest-priority health status objectives and the services needed to achieve those objectives, based on epidemiological data;
• Make recommendations for the targeting of services needed by the populations served;
• Make recommendations to improve health care delivery systems for Indians and urban Indians;
• Provide requested technical assistance to Indian tribes, tribal organizations, and urban Indian organizations in the development of local health service priorities and incidence and prevalence rates of disease and other illness in the community;
• Provide disease surveillance and assist Indian tribes, tribal organizations, and urban Indian communities to promote public health.

Each TEC addresses these 7 Core Functions in its own unique way.