Gaps and Strategies for Improving AI/AN/NA Data

Contents

Executive Summary (in PDF format, 7 pages)

Chapters

1. Introduction
2. Background and Review of Prior Studies
   1. Overview of Study Populations
   2. Findings of Prior Studies and Reports
   3. Strategies for Improving AI/AN/NA Data Availability and Quality
3. Methods
   1. Review of the Literature and Reports
   2. Analysis of Data Catalog Information
   3. Key Informant Interviews
   4. Limitations
4. Summary of Data Availability and Gaps in Selected Data Sets, by Policy Area and Population Group
   1. Data Availability, by Policy Area and Population Group
   2. Sample Sizes 200 or Greater, by Policy Area and Population Group
   3. Geographic Information Available, by Primary Policy Area and Population Group
   4. Data Gaps by Policy Area and Population Group
   5. Discussion
5. Strategies for Improving Data on AI/AN Health and Well-Being
   1. Issues that Contribute to Gaps in AI/AN/NA Data Availability and Quality.
   2. Strategies for Improving Data on AI/AN/NA Health and Well-being
   3. Current and Planned Initiatives of DHHS and Other Federal Agencies that Would Improve Availability and Quality of Data on AI/AN/NA Health and Well-being
6. Summary and Discussion
   1. Summary of Findings
   2. Conclusion

Appendices

1. List of Policy Areas and Issues
2. Sample Sizes for Data Sets by Policy Area, for Each Population Group
3. List of Reports Reviewed
4. Key Informant Interview Guide 

Acknowledgments

This report was prepared by Westat and the American Indian Health Research Program, Black Hills State University. The principal authors are Kathryn Langwell, Cynthia Helba, and Craig Love. Peggy Halpern and Alana Landey of the Office of the Assistant Secretary of Planning and Evaluation (ASPE), United States Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS), served as Task Order Officers for this effort and provided input and guidance for the project. Canta Pian, Division Director, Economic Support for Families/ASPE, also provided review and comment on this report.

Three members of the DHHS Data Council’s Racial and Ethnic Data Working Group — Audrey Burwell, Dale Hitchcock, and Edna Paisano — served on a project workgroup and provided guidance to the project as well as review of this report. Additionally, several members of an American Indian, Alaska Native, and other Native American workgroup provided input and review during the course of the project including David Wong representing the IHS Division of Epidemiology and Disease Prevention, Ralph Bryan representing the CDC Office of Minority Health and Health Disparities and the IHS Division of Epidemiology and Disease Prevention, David Simmons representing the National Indian Child Welfare Association, and Lisa Oshiro representing the Council for Native Hawaiian Advancement.

Numerous knowledgeable individuals at DHHS, the Census Bureau, and other federal and non-federal organizations gave generously of their time to ensure that we had complete and up-to-date information on existing surveys, databases and initiatives that are underway and planned that will improve AI/AN/NA data. We also benefited from input from several external consultants to the project, including Gordon Belcourt, Executive Director of the Montana-Wyoming Tribal Leaders Council; Carole Anne Heart, Executive Director of the Aberdeen Area Tribal Chairmen’s Health Board; Jeff Henderson, President of the Black Hills Center for American Indian Health; Lilia Kapunai, Vice President of Council for Native Hawaiian Advancement; and Frank Ryan, independent consultant.

Where to?

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Home Pages:
Human Services Policy (HSP)
Assistant Secretary for Planning and Evaluation (ASPE)
U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS)

Last revised:  03/23/07