In February 2026, the Alaska Native Tribal Health Consortium (ANTHC) hosted the first Alaska Tribal Public Health Summit, a large gathering of Tribal public health professionals, in Anchorage. The event became a strategic focus for the organization after the Alaska Native Epidemiology Center conducted Tribal Public Health System assessments from 2022 through 2024. These assessments indicated that there was significant interest in bringing together leaders from Tribal Health Organizations to work together on creative, collaborative solutions in a changing public health landscape.

The event was planned by ANTHC internal staff and expert advisory panel made up of Tribal and Tribal Organization leaders from across Alaska. The agenda included the following:

• An overview of Tribal public health authority and data sovereignty
• An interactive exercise mapping the existing Tribal public health programs in the state and opportunities for the future
• A review of resources available from state-wide entities to support Tribal organizations
• Brainstorming sessions focused on important public health topics
• An overview of laws, policies, and potential legislation affecting Tribal public health

In addition to the interactive content above, the meeting was opened by ANTHC President and CEO, Natasha Singh, and visited by US Senator Lisa Murkowski, who expressed their support and appreciation for the hard work of Tribal Public Health leaders in Alaska.

The planning team of Epidemiology Center staff is proud to share that the summit goal of bringing together Tribal leaders and staff from across the state to collaborate and find solutions was met. They look forward to sharing the results of the interactive content once it is summarized and next steps in continuing the conversation around Tribal public health.

If you have questions or comments for the planning team, please email tribalpublichealthsummit@anthc.org.

 

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The Navajo Epidemiology Center (NEC) has renewed its data-sharing agreement with the New Mexico Department of Health, strengthening access to updated vital records and improving the ability to monitor health trends within the New Mexico portion of the Navajo Nation.

 

Using newly available data from 2018-2024, NEC conducted an updated mortality analysis. Findings show that unintentional injuries, chronic liver disease, and COVID-19 are among the leading causes of death in the region.

 

This partnership supports more timely, accurate public health data and helps inform community-driven prevention efforts, resource allocation, and health planning to better serve Navajo communities.

View/Download the report to learn more and explore the full findings. (PDF 1 MB)

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CTEC recently concluded the HIV/STI/HCV Capacity Building Project with seven Indian Health Programs. The project combined assessments of clinical and prevention practices with strategic planning and training to support Tribal public health staff.

Through these efforts, more than 700 STI testing kits and “Undetectable = Untransmittable” educational materials were distributed to providers, people living with HIV, and community members.

 

These educational materials are intended to reduce stigma related to HIV, STIs, and HCV while encouraging testing and awareness.

 

In addition to the educational campaign and workforce development activities, CTEC developed a Health Equity Dashboard that highlights trends in STI prevalence across California and serves as a data resource for Tribal communities.

Together, these initiatives strengthen Tribal capacity to turn data into action and support long-term wellness in American Indian and Alaska Native communities across California.

To learn more about CTEC’s ongoing work to advance health equity and improve the AI/AN health across California, visit CTEC’s website.

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The USET Office of Tribal Public Health has developed a new ODMAP Toolkit, a resource designed to help Tribal Nations leverage real-time overdose surveillance to strengthen public health and safety across Indian Country.

 

ODMAP (Overdose Detection Mapping Application Program) is a free, web-based platform that enables first responders, public health agencies, and Tribal Nations to log suspected fatal and non-fatal overdose events in near real time.

 

It includes features such as “spike alerts”, which notify users when a designated area experiences a sudden surge in overdoses, as well as tools for filtering, charting, and layering additional data like Naloxone dispensing and Tribal boundaries to support rapid response and long-term public health planning.

The new ODMAP Toolkit provides a tailored, Indigenous-centered guide to implementing ODMAP across Tribal Nations. Scheduled to roll out this month, the toolkit includes guidance on:

• How to get started with ODMAP
• Using ODMAP data to inform public health strategies
• Preserving Tribal data sovereignty

The USET Office of Tribal Public Health is offering technical assistance and guidance to any Nashville Area Indian Health Service Tribal Nation or Urban Indian Health Organization interested in ODMAP, including support with enrollment, training, and using ODMAP data to strengthen overdose response efforts.

View/Download the ODMAP Toolkit (PDF 912 KB)

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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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