Native American Health Information Services

1. Native American Health Information Services Patricia Bradley, MLS, Native Services Librarian

2. Why Native American Health Information Services? • Unique demographic characteristics • Distinctive health care needs for the population and the health care providers who serve them • The highest prevalence of diabetes in the world • High incidence of unintentional injuries as a cause of death

3. New Mexico’s Need for Native American Health Information Services • Home to the 19 Pueblos, the Jicarilla Apache, the Mescalero Apache and the eastern portion of the Navajo Nation • Fourth largest American Indian population in the US (190,000) • The largest percentage (10.3%) of population in the lower 48 states

4. HSLIC’s Unique Position • Only academic health sciences library • The NN/LM Resource library • 25 years of outreach services • Integrated library and IT services • Development of Native Health Databases in 1994 • Native Services Librarian • History of partnership development

5. Cornerstones • The Native Health Research Database and Native Health History Database http://hsc.unm.edu/library/nhd • The Tribal Connections Four Corners Go Local on MedlinePlus http://www.4cornersgolocal.com

6. Strategic Plan Goal • To consolidate and expand Native American Health Information Services by creating a strong integrated effective program which will contribute to the reduction of health disparities in the Native populations of New Mexico.

7. Accomplishments • Identified Native American Health Information Services as a major strategic goal • Created a four year plan • Identified current services, resources, partnerships and funding. • Designed a brochure and web site • Completed a logic model for evaluation

8. First Year’s Activities • Audience is the Native American faculty, staff and students at the University of New Mexico. • Training in finding, evaluating and using health information • Promote services

9. Future Years • Other audiences—health care providers, schools, tribal/community libraries, tribal college and university libraries, councils and Chapter Houses in New Mexico have been selected for services in subsequent years. • Onsite (community) visits, consultations and training will take place.

10. Partnerships and Collaborations • Center for Native American Health, Health Sciences Center, University of New Mexico • Albuquerque Area Indian Health Board • Southern Colorado/New Mexico Native American Research Centers for Health (NARCH) • Tribal Connections Four Corners

11. Native American Health Information Services Planning Group UNM HSLIC • Patricia Bradley, Native Services Librarian • Janis Teal, Deputy Director • Erinn Aspinall, Distance Services Librarian • Lisa Romero, Library Information Specialist

12. Summary • Choose a need that can be met by your organization. • Start small and build. • Be willing to shift resources to fund critical positions. • Develop partnerships with organizations that have similar missions. • Take advantage of this conference and learn from others’ success.