Office of Public Health Support (OPHS)
The Office of Public Health Support (OPHS) provides leadership, guidance and support for public health programs and activities including strategic planning, evaluation, Government Performance and Results Act (GPRA) reporting, research, epidemiology, and program statistics. OPHS advocates for the public health needs and concerns of American Indians and Alaska Natives and promotes quality health care through policy development, budget formulation, and resource allocation regarding the operation and management of IHS, Tribal, and Urban Indian health programs.
Division of Epidemiology and Disease Prevention
The Division of Epidemiology and Disease Prevention (DEDP) provides and supports applied public health and epidemiologic services to further the overall IHS mission. Through the provision of direct services and key partnerships, our collective work strives to improve overall awareness, understanding, and mitigation of priority health conditions negatively impacting American Indian and Alaska Native populations. Specific efforts center around primary prevention of vaccine-preventable diseases, surveillance and reporting on various health-related outcomes and risks, and enhancing Tribal public health and epidemiologic capacity directly supporting Tribal communities.
Division of Planning, Evaluation, and Research
The Division of Planning, Evaluation and Research (DPER) coordinates agency strategic planning and aligns these efforts with performance reporting, budgeting, and program integrity activities. Leads agency health planning efforts including support of Area master plans, facilities and staff plans, and collaboration with Area and Tribal Planning Officers. Provides guidance on program evaluation to health programs with a focus on systems and performance improvement. Supports data-driven decision making and evidence-driven health system improvement through coordination of the collection and analysis of program data. Identifies and evaluates innovative strategies that lead to accessible, effective, and culturally appropriate care; Supports health research activities, including community-oriented practice-based research nationally, including human subject research protections and research related to health problems and the delivery of care to American Indian and Alaska Native people.
Division of Program Statistics
The Division of Program Statistics (DPS) produces the Indian Health Service?s statistical information and publications that measure and document the progress in assuring access to health care services and improving the health status of the American Indian and Alaska Native populations we serve. The DPS data and publications are the most important tools to support the IHS?s mission and goals. They are also the historical and foundational documents that support new health initiatives.
Government Performance and Results Act
OPHS coordinates the reporting of measures consistent with the Government Performance and Results Act (GPRA) of 1993, and as amended in the GPRA Modernization Act of 2010. The GPRA law was enacted in 1993 and is designed to improve government performance management. It requires federal agencies to engage in performance management by setting goals, measuring results, and reporting progress. Annually, IHS reports measures in accordance with the GPRA and GPRAMA as a part of the IHS Congressional Justification.
