Indian Health Service The Federal Health Program for American Indians and Alaska Natives

March is National Nutrition Month!

The 2014 theme is "Enjoy the Taste of Eating Right." Healthy foods can be both nutritious and delicious. Many of the chronic diseases we battle every day in our communities can be improved and even avoided through a well-balanced and healthy diet.

My Native Plate [PDF - 618 KB]

Let's Eat for the Health of It [PDF - 968 KB]

Nutrition.gov

Whiteriver Indian Hospital Achieves Baby-Friendly Designation

In February, the Whiteriver Indian Hospital in Whiteriver, Arizona, achieved its Baby-Friendly designation. Whiteriver is now the 7th Baby-Friendly Hospital in the IHS system.

Breastfeeding can significantly reduce the risk of childhood obesity, diabetes, allergies, and asthma. Make breastfeeding a family tradition. The Gooday family of the White Mountain Apache Tribe has been breastfeeding for five generations.

Breastfeeding Promotion and Support
IHS Baby-Friendly Hospitals

Smoke-Free

First smoke-free U.S. health care facility - Hopi Heath Care Center
In 1983, the Hopi Tribal Council in northeastern Arizona passed a resolution to ban smoking in its Hopi Health Care Facility.

First U.S. federal agency to ban smoking - Indian Health Service
In 1987, IHS was the first federal agency to ban smoking in its facilities.

Fifty years ago this month, the Office of the Surgeon General released a landmark report called “Smoking and Health.” For the first time, smoking was reported to cause lung cancer. IHS led the way in providing a smoke-free environment for its patients and personnel. For more information go to the Surgeon General’s Tobacco Initiative website.

Flu Vaccination Awareness

American Indians and Alaska Natives are up to four times more likely than the general U.S. population to die from pneumonia and other influenza-related conditions. Possible reasons for this reported by community doctors are household crowding, a lack of sanitary services, and limited access to timely medical care for people living in remote areas.

• Learn more about the Flu
• Find the flu vaccination facility nearest you
• Find the nearest IHS, tribal, or Urban Indian health program

Affordable Care Act

The Affordable Care Act, also known as the health care law, was created to expand access to coverage, control health care costs, and improve health care quality and coordination. The ACA also includes permanent reauthorization of the Indian Health Care Improvement Act, which extends the current law and authorizes new programs and services within the Indian Health Service.

• Learn more about the Affordable Care Act