IHS Blog

Health care providers play significant role in communicating accurate information to patients

October 18, 2021
by Cmdr. Nathan Mork, Oral Health Promotion Disease Prevention Officer, Division of Oral Health, Indian Health Service

If you had asked me a decade ago what health literacy is all about, I probably would have only talked about health education as handing a pamphlet or brochure to a patient. Over the years, I’ve gradually learned that this method of communication is only the tip of the iceberg of health literacy. ... Continue reading

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Recognizing physical therapists and physical therapy assistants as crucial members of the health care team, especially during COVID-19

October 14, 2021
by Lt. Cmdr. Kayla Dewitt, Lead Physical Therapist, Empowered Living Clinic, Chickasaw Nation Department of Health

National Physical Therapy Month is a time to recognize how physical therapists and physical therapist assistants help improve lives across the country. The 2021 theme – “Choose more movement. Choose better health. Choose physical therapy Exit Disclaimer: You Are Leaving www.ihs.gov . ” – ... Continue reading

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Recognizing utility operators in Indian Country

October 4, 2021
by Cmdr. Ryan Clapp, PE, Staff Engineer, Division of Sanitation Facilities Construction, Indian Health Service

To support tribal communities and utilities across the country, the IHS Division of Sanitation Facilities Construction Exit Disclaimer: You Are Leaving www.ihs.gov  provides technical assistance related to the establishment, training, and equipping of utility organizations to operate and maintain Indian sanitation ... Continue reading

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National Recovery Month: Recovery is for everyone

September 30, 2021
by Lyndi Seabolt, Certified Peer Recovery Support Specialist, Southern Plains Tribal Health Board

National Recovery Month Exit Disclaimer: You Are Leaving www.ihs.gov  serves as an annual celebration to remind all persons that treatment for substance use disorder exists and that recovery is possible. The theme for this year is Recovery is for Everyone: Every Person, Every Family, Every Community Exit Disclaimer: You Are Leaving www.ihs.gov .

Mainstream ... Continue reading

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Environment where children play, live, learn impacts childhood obesity

September 29, 2021
by Capt. Jana Towne, RN, BSN, MHA, Nurse Consultant, Division of Diabetes Treatment and Prevention, Indian Health Service

September is National Childhood Obesity Awareness Month. In the United States from 2017-2018 Exit Disclaimer: You Are Leaving www.ihs.gov , nearly one in five children aged 2–19 years had obesity and an additional 16.1% were overweight. Obesity is a risk factor for diabetes, heart disease, high blood pressure, ... Continue reading