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HHS Expands Information for American Indians, Alaskans
Posted to NDN AIM by Mikola 18
November 7, 2002; 16:20 ET
"HHS Expands Information For American Indians And Alaska Natives
On Consumer-Oriented Healthfinder(r) Web Site"
WASHINGTON, D.C. (U.S. Newswire) -- "In recognition of National
American Indian and Alaska Native Heritage Month, HHS Secretary
Tommy G. Thompson today launched a new resource section on the
department's healthfinder(r) Web site devoted to these communities.
Available at the
easy-to-use consumer resource provides a central point for
up-to-date health information of special interest to American
Indians and Alaska Natives.
"American Indians and Alaska Natives are affected
disproportionately by diabetes, tuberculosis, injuries, and other
serious health problems. By providing resources especially selected
for these populations, with their input, we have designed a gateway
to help them learn about preventing and treating illness and
developing a healthy lifestyle," Secretary Thompson said.
According to the 2000 census, over 4 million Americans
self-identify as American Indians and Alaska Natives. The special
healthfinder(r) section highlights more than 20 of the most
important topics of interest for these populations, based on
discussions with American Indian and Alaska Native community
leaders, patients, and students. In addition to specific wellness
and disease topics such as nutrition and diabetes, these include
elder care and traditional healing. Over 170 topics are available
in total in the section for American Indians and Alaska Natives.
The full healthfinder(r) site brings together information on over
1100 topics from over 1700 government agencies and nonprofit
organizations.
Dr. Charles Grim, the interim director of the Indian Health
Service, said, "healthfinder(r) is an excellent Web-based resource
that our providers and community health representatives can use in
our remote and isolated locations. Our families with Internet
access in these communities can also benefit from the useful
information it provides. Access to information is an invaluable
tool for disease prevention and treatment as well as wellness."
healthfinder(r) is spearheaded by the HHS Office of Disease
Prevention and Health Promotion (ODPHP). ODPHP partnered with the
Indian Health Service; the department's Office of Minority
Health; the American Public Health Association's American Indian,
Alaska Native, Native Hawaiian Caucus; and the National Museum of
the American Indian, Smithsonian Institution, to improve health
information for American Indians and Alaska Natives on
healthfinder(r).
For more information about National American Indian and Alaska
Native Heritage Month, visit
.
Note: All HHS press releases, fact sheets, and other press materials are
available at "
2002, U.S. Newswire
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