Tribal Epidemiology Centers: HHS Actions Needed to Enhance Data Access, Report to Congressional Addressees [open pdf - 3MB]
From the Highlights: "AI/ANs [American Indians and Alaska Natives] have experienced longstanding problems accessing health care services and worse health outcomes than the general U.S. population, such as a life expectancy that is 5.5 years shorter than the U.S. average, according to IHS [Indian Health Service]. To provide tribes with public health support, Congress required the establishment of TECs [tribal epidemiology centers] and, in 2010, authorized their access to HHS [Department of Health and Human Services] data. The COVID-19 [coronavirus disease 2019] pandemic highlighted the need to understand TECs' access to epidemiological data to help AI/AN communities prevent and control diseases. The CARES [Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security] Act includes a provision for GAO [Government Accountability Office] to report on its ongoing COVID-19 monitoring and oversight efforts. Also, GAO was asked to examine TECs' access to epidemiological data. This report (1) describes TECs' access to and use of epidemiological data, and (2) examines factors that have affected TECs' access to HHS epidemiological data."
Government Accountability Office: https://www.gao.gov/