November 21, 2009
Health
Alaska island village hit by suspected swine flu
ANCHORAGE, Alaska – Suspected swine flu is sweeping a traditional Eskimo whaling village on a remote Alaska island – prompting an urgent medical mission to deliver help.
Native Health Initiative applies global health care concept to U.S. tribes
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. – Since 2004, the Native Health Initiative has logged more than 60,000 volunteer hours, utilizing a sparse amount of funds and operating on the fuel of human compassion.
Focused on women’s health
After searching for her Native American heritage from a young age, Sahar Nouri finally feels at home working for IHS.
Cautious days ahead for IHCIA in Senate
WASHINGTON – Late on the evening of Nov. 7, the reauthorization of the Indian Health Care Improvement Act overcame a major hurdle, passing the U.S. House of Representatives as part of larger health care reform legislation. Whether it can do the same in the Senate remains to be seen.
College, tribe to train health workers
NEW TOWN, N.D. (AP) – Fort Berthold Community College in New Town plans to work with the Three Affiliated Tribes to train staff for the Elbowoods Memorial Health Center being built on the Fort Berthold Reservation.
Rep. Luján votes to reform health insurance
WASHINGTON – On Nov. 7, Rep. Ben Ray Luján voted in favor of the Affordable Health Care for America Act (H.R. 3962), which will make health insurance more affordable and accessible for all Americans. The legislation passed the House of Representatives by a vote of 220-215.
A soldier’s life
How do you get from picking fruit in the San Joaquin Valley at 6 to being a year away from retiring after a distinguished 32-year career in the Army? With a plan, says Master Sgt. Gabriel Fierro Sr.
White Bison founder says award will fund his dream
COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. – Older people are sometimes overlooked, but one Native 66-year-old innovator in the substance abuse field has been recognized with a $100,000 award for his work.
Proper foot care can help diabetics
ASHEBORO, N.C. – Twenty-four million children and adults in the United States live with diabetes, a disease that leads to potentially life-threatening complications such as heart disease, stroke, kidney disease and blindness. Without proper care, 15 percent of diabetics will develop foot ulcers which can lead to an increased risk of foot amputations.
Communities take a holistic stance on diabetes prevention
Preventing and treating diabetes encompasses more than physical cures in 17 innovative tribal efforts funded by the Native Diabetes Wellness Program of the U.S. Centers for Disease Control. The most effective approaches take spiritual, emotional, and cultural aspects into account as well, said Aubrey Skye, Hunkpapa Lakota, gardens coordinator of one recipient of CDC funds, the Standing Rock Sioux Tribe Diabetes Program. “You have to consider the whole person.”
