Indian Health Service: National Indian Health, Outreach, and Education

The IHS is committed to providing quality health care, consistent with its statutory authorities and its government-to-government relationship with each Indian Tribe. The IHS mission is to raise the physical, mental, social, and spiritual health of American Indians and Alaska Natives to the highest level. To further mission success, the IHS seeks support on a national scale. The IHS serves as the principal Federal health care provider and health advocate for approximately 2.6 million American Indians and Alaska Natives from 574 federally recognized Tribes in 37 states, through a network of over 605 hospitals, clinics and health stations on or near Indian reservations and predominantly in rural locations. Tribes administer over half of the annual IHS discretionary appropriation. The IHS also enters into agreements with 41 Urban Indian Organizations (UIOs). These 41 UIOs are 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations that provide culturally appropriate and quality health care and referral services for Urban Indians in 22 states. The IHS seeks to collaborate with local communities, not-for-profit organizations, universities and schools, foundations, businesses, and Federal agencies. This effort will foster outreach and education addressing health policy and health program issues; broadcast educational information to all American Indian and Alaska Native (AI/AN) people; provide policy/legislative updates, advocacy, and technical assistance.