Tribal epidemiology centers: HHS actions needed to enhance data access : report to congressional addressees

Tribal epidemiology centers: HHS actions needed to enhance data access : report to congressional addressees

Collection:
Health Policy and Services Research
Contributor(s):
United States. Government Accountability Office, issuing body.
United States. Congress, issuing body.
Publication:
Washington, DC : United States Government Accountability Office, March 2022
Language(s):
English
Format:
Text
Subject(s):
American Indian or Alaska Native -- statistics & numerical data
Epidemiologic Factors
Government Regulation
Vulnerable Populations -- statistics & numerical data
United States
United States. Indian Health Service
Genre(s):
Technical Report
Abstract:
Why GAO did this study. AI/ANs 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. To provide tribes with public health support, Congress required the establishment of TECs and, in 2010, authorized their access to HHS data. The COVID-19 pandemic highlighted the need to understand TECs’ access to epidemiological data to help AI/AN communities prevent and control diseases. The CARES Act includes a provision for GAO 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. GAO reviewed HHS policies and documents and documentation of TECs’ data requests. GAO also interviewed officials from CDC, IHS, and all 12 TECs. What GAO Recommends. GAO is making five recommendations, including that HHS clarify the data it will make available to TECs as required by federal law; and that CDC and IHS develop guidance on how TECs should request data, and develop agency procedures on responding to such requests. HHS concurred with these recommendations.
Copyright:
The National Library of Medicine believes this item to be in the public domain. (More information)
Extent:
1 online resource (1 PDF file (ii, 34 pages))
Illustrations:
Illustrations
NLM Unique ID:
9918434583506676 (See catalog record)
Permanent Link:
http://resource.nlm.nih.gov/9918434583506676