Tribal Health Data Improvement Act of 2021

Tribal Health Data Improvement Act of 2021

This bill expands tribal access to public health care data and public health surveillance programs. It also reauthorizes through FY2026 the National Center for Health Statistics, which is part of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), and requires the CDC to take certain actions to address the collection and availability of health data for American Indians and Alaska Natives.

Specifically, the Department of Health and Human Services must (1) establish a strategy for providing data access to Indian tribes and tribal epidemiology centers; and (2) make available all requested data related to health care and public health surveillance programs and activities to the Indian Health Service, tribes, tribal organizations, and tribal epidemiology centers.

Next, the CDC must make grants to and enter into contracts with tribes, tribal organizations, and tribal epidemiology centers for data collection and related activities.

Among other requirements, the CDC must (1) develop guidelines for state and local health agencies to improve birth and death record data for American Indians and Alaska Natives; (2) enter into cooperative agreements with tribes, tribal organizations, urban Indian organizations, and tribal epidemiology centers to address certain inaccuracies related to records for American Indians and Alaska Natives; and (3) encourage states to enter into data sharing agreements with tribes, tribal organizations, and tribal epidemiology centers to improve the quality and accuracy of public health data.

Bill 117 hr 3841, also known as the Tribal Health Data Improvement Act of 2021, aims to improve the collection and reporting of health data for American Indian and Alaska Native tribes. The bill recognizes the importance of accurate health data in addressing the unique health disparities faced by tribal communities.

The key provisions of the bill include:

1. Establishing a Tribal Advisory Committee on Health Data to provide guidance and recommendations on improving data collection and reporting practices for tribal health programs. 2. Requiring the Department of Health and Human Services to consult with tribal governments and organizations in developing data collection standards and protocols. 3. Directing the Indian Health Service to work with tribal health programs to improve data sharing and coordination efforts. 4. Providing funding for training and technical assistance to help tribal health programs implement best practices in data collection and reporting. Overall, the Tribal Health Data Improvement Act of 2021 seeks to empower tribal communities to better understand and address their health needs through improved data collection and reporting practices.