On August 29, 2007 the Joining Hands for a Healthy Future – Community Partners in Action Health Forum event at the Community Center in Tuba City, Arizona highly impressed visiting federal dignitaries from Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) and the Health and Human Services (HHS) departments who were touring Indian nations across the U.S.A. to promote Medicare’s initiative as, “A Healthier US Starts here!” “My Health. My Medicare.”
As part of the “A Healthier US Starts Here” initiative here in Tuba City AZ, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) joined local health care partners to raise awareness of the importance of preventing chronic disease and illness, promote Medicare preventive benefits, and provide information about how beneficiaries can take action to maintain and improve their health. CMS and the Indian Health Service (IHS) also joined together to promote healthier living not only as it affects Medicare beneficiaries but as it affects the health promotion/disease prevention activities that Indian Country practices on a daily basis to promote healthier living.
“This effort supports the Indian Health Service’s goal to create healthier American Indian and Alaska Native communities by developing and implementing effective health promotion and chronic disease prevention programs,” said Dr. Charles Grim, Director of the Indian Health Service. “This is accomplished in collaboration with our key stakeholders, the American Indian and Alaska Native people, and by building on individual, family, and community strengths and assets.”
Representatives from community health programs showcased their health outreach initiatives, programs and services. Sherri L. Helton, Navajo Area IHS Safety & Occupational Health Specialist a booth participant in the event also responded with admiration by stating, “The Community Partners in Action Wellness Day was a great event to showcase program outreach from the Navajo Nation, Hopi Tribe and respective health care facilities. Emphasis was made on local empowerment and responsibility for wellness, prevention and emergency readiness”, says Helton. “Great participation from both community and representing programs were evident. I commend Tuba City and neighboring communities for its commitment in the promotion of “walk in beauty.”
The event agenda was full of informational topics for the whole day, but the morning sessions distinctively made an impression which featured the cultural and traditional emphasis about the four directions (East – thinking, South – planning, West – life and North – hope) as part of the health initiative and forum. CMS and HHS were not only impressed with the services being displayed, but highly appreciative about the holistic approach in explaining the 4-directions of Navajo Wellness as spiritual significance to instilling healthy life-styles for the Native communities. Shirley Peaches, TCRHCC Safety Officer/Community partner comments about the experience on planning the event, “Collaboratively, as planners and given the short amount of time to prepare, we gave it a positive perspective to what we know and live by as being Indian. As a component to the overall sense of unity we featured the four directions as pinnacle not only in prayer, but to what health and life is about to our native people,” says Peaches. “The health forum was a big success, where the prevention programs within the community came together to provide important information to the community members. I would like to commend them all for their dedication and support.”
“I admire the total approach of the 4-directions as intergenerational (beginning to end) and that we can learn more from the Native Americans to create a healthier, more positive Nation”, says Dr. Charlotte Yeh, MD, CMS Acting Regional Administrator – San Francisco Regional Office. “There are 1.5 billion broken bones each year due to the thinning of the bones affecting the elderly. It’s important that senior citizens take advantage of Medicare coverage in being more proactive to improve health by engaging in pre-screening tests and where it is reimbursable by CMS”, Says Dr. Yeh. “Also ensuring that the people receive and learn about good nutrition, exercise daily, and avoiding risky health behaviors that are considered preventable.”
As the community health programs displayed and demonstrated their services to the community members and federal representatives attending the event, Laura M. Caliguiri, HHS Director of Intergovernmental Affairs states, “The programs being displayed are impressive! A sense of community involvement is key to success, and working with the tribal governments is important to us”. Mr. Dennis Dudley, DHHS Aging Services Program Specialist also commented that, “the event typifies a great deal of coordination and dedication from the breadth of health programs and this event also highlights to elders the importance of health and nutrition from the young people showcasing their services.” Mr. Henry F. Tyson, CMS Director, External Affairs also acknowledges the tribal health programs by stating, “The tribal health people and programs are pursuing the course of wellness in helping beneficiaries avoid illness and disease. Following health management regiments through exercise and diet are important for all of us to continue; overall I am very privileged to be here.” Thomas E. Lorentzen, HHS Regional Director Region IX was also privileged to attend the event by saying, “the programs care about the health and wellness of the people, the Federal government needs to learn from the Native Americans to include culture and tradition.” “Learning about the 4-directions really inspired us as visitors, thank you,” says Lorentzen.
Hope McDonald-Lonetree, Tuba City Council Delegate expressed her gratitude for the event. “The event was positive, a tremendous success. The group from D.C. came and met with health professionals and saw first hand how federal dollars are utilized.” As a collaborative effort was being campaigned to promote the event, Mrs. McDonald-Lonetree acknowledged the collaborative partnership by also stating, “The community event was not put on by one organization, but all who participated share responsibility for solutions affecting the community.” “TCRHCC did a beautiful job with the event bringing everyone together”, says McDonald-Lonetree. “I am proud of the community and especially about the progress. We need to continue to work together towards curing health issues in our communities.”
Michelle Archuleta, Director of HPDP/Community Partner stated, “It’s always amazing how community partnership efforts are the foundation that ensure wellness and prevention efforts to continue within Native communities. This was most evident with the turnout of local resource providers, the excellent educational sessions offered and the high expertise of local people addressing community needs.”
In conclusion, Ron Milford – TCRHCC Facilities Manager/Community Partner commended the partnership forum by saying, “great collaboration between the community and health programs was evident to the success of the event. Initial planning and preparation conducted between many partners associated with health showed as 106 programs received certificates of appreciation for their efforts.” Angie Maloney – TCRHCC Office of Environmental Health District Sanitarian/Community Partner also reaffirmed that, “The partnerships and collaboration that were strengthened or developed through this health forum needs to continue to deliver improved services to our service population. After this successful event I feel that our service providers can call on each other to pull together another event like this one in the future.” Ahe’ hee’ (thank you).
Please visit US Department of Health and Human Services at www.mymedicare.gov for more information about federal healthcare coverage..
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