Beyond Health Care: Community, Governance, and Culture in the Health and Wellness of Native Nations. Project Summary

This project asked, “What actions can Native nations and organizations take—outside the conventional health care system—to improve the health and wellness of Native communities?” Three lines of inquiry emerged:

DATA SOVEREIGNTY AND DATA GOVERNANCE

Data availability and data quality issues limit research on the social determinants of health for Native nations.

TRIBAL HEALTH POLICY OPPORTUNITIES

Tribal public health systems offer unique opportunities to protect, promote, and sustain community health.

RECLAIMING INDIGENOUS HEALTH

Key shortcomings in the social determinants of health framework necessitate a focus on Indigenous health that asks, “what constitutes a healthy community or society?”