The Indian Health Service (IHS) aims to elevate the physical, mental, social, and spiritual health of American Indians and Alaska Natives to the highest level. Its mission encompasses a commitment to improving health management capabilities and services within Tribal communities, emphasizing public health functions and resilience building.
The grant program focuses on enhancing the capacity of Tribes, Tribal organizations, and Urban Indian Organizations in implementing the core Public Health functions, services, and activities. It aims to develop and improve Public Health management capabilities within these communities. The grant supports broader access to the 10 Essential Public Health Services (EPHS) framework in Indian Country, which offers guidelines for ensuring equitable opportunities for optimal health and well-being. The EPHS framework, emphasizing equity in its 2020 revision, guides public health activities that should be undertaken by all communities. This includes monitoring health status to identify community health problems and diagnosing and investigating health hazards. The initiative aligns with the HHS Healthy People initiatives, particularly focusing on the Public Health Infrastructure to ensure essential public health services are effectively provided.