U.S. Department of Health and Human Services
Indian Health Service: The Federal Health Program for American Indians and Alaska Natives
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Indian Health Service Glossary

The following terms, phrases, and acronyms, will make the story of the Indian Health Service a whole lot clearer. We suggest that if you intend to take a comprehensive tour of the Indian Health Service that you consider printing a copy of this glossary before entering. Consider it your trusty tour guide document.

Glossary of Acronyms

AI American Indian
AIDS Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome
AANHS Alaska Area Native Health Service
AN Alaska Native
AODA Alcohol and Other Drug Abuse
BIA Bureau of Indian Affairs
CDC Centers for Disease Control
CHA Community Health Aide
CHR Community Health Representative
CHS Contract Health Services
COPC Community-Oriented Primary Care
COSTEP Commissioned Officer Student Training and Externship Program
DHEW Department of Health, Education and Welfare
DHHS Department of Health and Human Services
ENT Ear, Nose, and Throat
HIV Human Immunodeficiency Virus
IHS Indian Health Service
MCH Maternal and Child Health
NDOH Navajo Department of Health
NFCI Nurse Education Center for Indians
NIHB National Indian Health Board
OHPD Office of Health Program Development
OTA Office of Tribal Activities
PCC Patient Care Component
PHS Public Health Service
RPMS Resource and Patient Management System
SIDS Sudden Infant Death Syndrome
TOHD Tohono O'odham Community Health Department

Glossary of IHS Terms and Phrases

Area
A defined geographic region for Indian Health Service administrative purposes. Each Area Office administers several Service Units.
Community Health Representative (CHR)
Indians selected, employed, and supervised by their Tribes and trained by IHS to provide specific health care services at the community level.
Contract Health Services
Services not available directly from IHS or Tribes that are purchased under contract from community hospitals and practitioners.
Health Center
A facility, physically separated from a hospital, with a full range of ambulatory services including at least primary care physicians, nursing, pharmacy, laboratory, and x-ray, which are available at least 40 hours a week for outpatient care.
Health Station
A facility, physically separated from a hospital and health center, where primary care physician services are available on a regularly scheduled basis but for less than 50 hours a week.
Service Area
The geographic areas in which IHS has responsibilities-- "on or near" reservations, i.e., contract health service delivery areas.
Service Population
American Indians and Alaska Natives identified to be eligible for IHS services.
Service Unit
The local administrative unit of IHS.
User Population
American Indians and Alaska Natives eligible for IHS services who have used those services at least once during the last 3-year period.