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Health Disparities and Quality Care
Fiscal Year 2005-2009
Grantee

Association of American Indian Physicians
1225 Sovereign Row, Suite 103
Oklahoma City, OK 73108

The Association of American Indian Physicians (AAIP), is a national, non-profit, educational, scientific, and charitable corporation dedicated to improving the health conditions among the American Indian/Alaska Native (AI/AN) population. AAIP’s mission is “To pursue excellence in Native American health care by promoting education in the medical disciplines, honoring traditional healing practices, and restoring the balance of mind, body, and spirit.” Member physicians represent more than 107 tribes and 46 medical specialties. In order to address and reduce the health disparities that exist in Indian country, AAIP has developed community-based and national programs focusing on health promotion/disease prevention, education, information dissemination, and awareness campaigns addressing various health outcomes, issues, and needs. AAIP’s affiliates/partners include 624 local, regional, national, state, government, community-based, and tribal and non-tribal organizations from across the United States and Canada. In addition, AAIP has a strong history or working with AI/AN students at all levels to motivate and strengthen skills and interest in the health professions.

AAIP’s National Umbrella Cooperative Agreement Program: The AAIP Indian Health Network (IHN) addresses the health disparities that exist within the AI/AN population, through health research, health education, and health services related to AI/ANs on the local, state, and national levels. IHN serves as a national clearinghouse for information for Indian health resources and services, legislative policy, and research data, that support tribes and AI/AN communities, health care professionals, and academic institutions. A seven-member physician committee provides oversight of website content. Internet training is provided to 100 AI/AN health professionals through collaboration with other Internet-based health resource information sites. The site provides health education and culturally appropriate health intervention data on AAIP programs. The Child/Youth section includes information on topics such as childhood obesity, healthy eating habits, pre-natal and post-natal care links, SIDS, and infant mortality. AAIP will conduct two national forums, a National Conference and a Cross-Cultural Medicine Workshop. The National Conference for approximately 300 health professionals, researchers, and community members will focus on strategies for addressing health disparities among the AI/AN population. The Cross-Cultural Medicine Workshop, for approximately 80 participants (health care professionals, AAIP members, AI/AN tribal community members, traditional healers and practitioners, students, and specialists in the health care arena) will focus on traditional medicine and cultural competency.