Guided by data from technical assistance requests, the Oklahoma Tribal Epidemiology Center (OKTEC) took meaningful steps to strengthen public health infrastructure across the region.

Tribal Nations voiced a clear need for deeper skills, greater resources, and sustainable systems and OKTEC responded by bringing together more than 100 Tribal leaders and TEC staff for two powerful convenings.

 

These gatherings created space for connection, learning, and shared problem-solving, helping shape a stronger and more resilient future for Tribal public health.

 

Read the full Impact Statement to learn more about this work.

 

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In September, the Alaska Native Tribal Health Consortium’s (ANTHC) Alaska Native Epidemiology Center hosted a Basic Applied Epidemiology for Public Health Workers training to strengthen public health capacity and infrastructure.  The goal of this training was to provide a practical, engaging, and applicable course focused for public health workers on key public health analysis and investigation methods, including but not limited to descriptive epidemiology, outbreak investigations, and quantitative methods. 

The training brought together participants from ANTHC, Alaska Tribal Health Organizations, the State of Alaska Department of Public Health, and Anchorage Health Department to spend three days in person learning about applied epidemiological methods through a mix of lectures, group discussions, exercises, and case studies.

The agenda included a diverse array of topics, including sessions on:

• Rates, ratios, and proportions,
• Descriptive epidemiology,
• Analytic study design,
• Outbreak investigations,
• Questionnaire design,
• Sampling,
• Measures of association,
• Developing an analysis plan,
• Adverse childhood experiences, and
• Regression & modelling

Following the event, participants provided feedback about the value this training provided to them, including many positive reviews of the content.  Participants shared that this was an “excellent training”, in particular the most useful parts being:

• “Real world examples tied into Alaska relevant scenarios;”
• “Getting practical experience with examples and guided exercises;”
• “Engagement and Alaska Native case studies;”
• “Case studies;” and
• “Networking with other people, learning more about ANTHC Epi, going through some exercises on outbreak investigation and study design;” among more.

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The final event evaluation demonstrated that 100% of respondents found this training to be “good” or “excellent”, and many participants shared their gratitude for the time to connect with other public health workers.

 

To foster community and connection, the meeting also included networking activities, with bingo emerging as a crowd favorite, filling the room with laughter and engaging conversations.

This year’s SAC meeting highlighted the importance of collaborative partnerships and community-driven strategies in advancing public health for Alaska Native communities. The ANTHC Epidemiology Department extends its gratitude to all attendees and partners who contributed to the event’s success and looks forward to continued collaboration in the year ahead.

 

Participant Comments:

 

“I made a connection with an ANTHC employee working on shared goals. I look forward to hearing more about their work.”

 

“I have renewed faith in public health in Alaska, and increased knowledge in the EpiCenter’s functions.”

 

 

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