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TEC News

ANEC Success Story: ANTHC Colorectal Cancer Control Program celebrates increased screening rates among Alaska Native people

Success Stories, TEC News
Despite the challenges of limited staffing and the COVID-19 pandemic, the Alaska Native Tribal Health Consortium (ANTHC) Colorectal Cancer Control Program – a five-year (2020-2025) grant funded by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) – has achieved significant progress in increasing colorectal cancer screening rates across Alaska.

Over the past five years, the average screening rate among Tribal health organization partners increased from 46% to 62%, representing a 35% improvement. This progress has contributed to a meaningful reduction in colorectal cancer incidence and mortality among Alaska Native people. Colorectal cancer screening is recommended for Alaska Native people 40 and older, and all adults ages 45 and up.

The program supported seven Tribal health organizations across the state by providing technical assistance, provider education, and ongoing support through community calls and peer learning opportunities. These efforts created space for partners to learn from one another and share best practices. The program also assisted with mass mail-outs of at-home stool test kits, distributed culturally relevant education materials, and promoted consistent, collaborative engagement to expand access and awareness.

Additional efforts included addressing the colorectal cancer screening referral backlog at the Alaska Native Medical Center (ANMC), which improved access to colonoscopy services and helped reduce the burden on clinical staff.

Culturally tailored outreach was a significant success. Alaska-themed colorectal cancer screening media were developed and translated into Yupik, helping to engage rural and Alaska Native communities in a meaningful way.

Additionally, the Colorectal Cancer Program also focused on policy updates, which included updating and revising the ANMC Colorectal Cancer Screening Guidelines (2021), supported the passage of an Alaska Federation of Natives-approved resolution (#21-14) to promote screening and address cancer disparities, and submitted a letter of support for proposed changes to Title 7 of the Alaska Administrative Code to expand Medicaid coverage for colorectal cancer screening.

Together, these efforts have advanced health equity and strengthened Alaska’s statewide approach to colorectal cancer prevention, early detection, and improved patient outcomes.

To learn more about the ANTHC Colorectal Cancer Control Program, visit: https://epi.anthc.org/crc/

If you are 40 and would like to schedule a colorectal cancer screening, speak to your primary care provider, or call the ANMC Colorectal Cancer Screening Clinic at 907-729-4444. The clinic will work with you and your provider to schedule the appropriate referral.

CRC Group Photo


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ITCA TEC Success Story: Public Health Programming 2020-2024

Success Stories, TEC News
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Tribal Success Stories, Public Health Programming Supported by the Inter Tribal Council of Arizona, Inc., Tribal Epidemiology Center, 2020 – 2024, includes sixteen Tribal projects and four ITCA TEC projects. This book covers a small sample of ITCA TEC work with Tribes. All ITCA TEC funds support Tribes in the Indian Health Service Phoenix Tucson Service Areas through training, technical assistance, and small grants.

View the Booklet here: https://simplebooklet.com/tribalsuccessstories

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How Should Epidemiologists Respond to Data Genocide?

TEC News, TECs in the Media
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AMA Journal of Ethics

Data quality for and about American Indian/Alaska Native (AI/AN) people is undermined by deeply entrenched, colonial practices that have become standard in US federal data systems. This article draws on cases of maternal mortality and COVID-19 to demonstrate the ethical and clinical need for inclusive, diverse, and accurate data when researching AI/AN health trends.

By Abigail Echo-Hawk, MA, Sofia Locklear, PhD, Sarah McNally, MPH, Lannesse Baker, MPH, and Sacena Gurule, MPA
January 2, 2025

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Time100 Next 2024 – Abigail Echo-Hawk

TEC News, TECs in the Media
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Time

Abigail Echo-Hawk refuses to let our Indigenous peoples be overlooked. Her journey, from Seattle Indian Health Board patient to its executive vice president, is inspiring. And her record—including getting 98% of American Indians and Alaska Natives in King County vaccinated for COVID-19—is impressive.

By Patty Murray
October 2, 2024

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