Indian Health Special Interest Group

The IH SIG seeks to develop educational programs, facilitate AAP advocacy efforts on behalf of Native American children, and is developing a supportive network for Indian Health Service pediatricians and others who work with Native American children.

The IH SIG was initiated as a means to further the mission of the Section and the Academy by identifying, prioritizing, and promoting educational and training opportunities related to American Indian/Alaska Native child health issues. The role of the IH SIG is to educate the members of the Section and the Academy on ways to improve the health outcomes of Native American children through the mobilization of AAP fellows, residents, other health professionals, families, and community organizations.

Goals:

1. Provide a forum for pediatricians and other health providers serving American Indian/Alaska Native children to share successes and attempt to meet needs during a time of profound change in the organization of Indian health care, including the provision of both rural and urban health care.
2. Sponsor educational programs at Academy meetings that highlight unique aspect of providing comprehensive health care to American Indian/Alaska Native children.
3. Support the work of the Committee on Native American Child Health by disseminating information about new policy statements and advocacy issues, collaboration in development of educational programs, and assistance in nominating new members to serve on the committee.
4. Attempt to link members in mentoring or consultation relationships to address problems specific to local or regional care of American Indian/Alaska Native children.

How to Join:
If you are already a member of the Council on Community Pediatrics and would like to join the IH SIG, please send an email with you full name, email address, and AAP member ID number to cocp@aap.org requesting that you be added to the IH SIG.

To join the Indian Health SIG you must be a member of the Council on Community Pediatrics. If you are already a member of the AAP and would like to become a COCP member, join online by:
1. Go to http://www.aap.org/moc/indexEntry.cfm and login with your AAP ID and password.
2. Click on "Member Community".
3. Click on "Join a Section or Council" under Section, Council & Committee
Information.
4. Choose "Council on Community Pediatrics", answer a few questions, and click "Submit".

For More Information:
If you would like more information about the Council on Community Pediatrics or the Indian Health SIG, contact the American Academy of Pediatrics at cocp@aap.org or 800-433-9016, ext 7085 or visit the Native American Child Health webpages.