UCONJ 530 Indian Health Issues Course

 

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UCONJ530 Indian Health Issues

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As future healthcare and human service providers, it is essential that students have a strong knowledge of health issues and policies which may impact patients/clients and practice. UCONJ 530 is designed to intensify the understanding of historical and contemporary issues in American Indian/Alaska Native (AI/AN) health. 

This course is developed to help any health sciences and human services student interested in AI/AN health further explore AI/AN contributions to healthcare: Traditional AI/AN medicine, current disease epidemiology, development of Federal Indian health policy, the Indian Health Service, rural and urban tribal health programs, and consequences of major legislation on AI/AN health.

Course Objectives and Community Service Requirement

SPECIFIC COURSE OBJECTIVES:  Upon the completion of UCONJ 530, student should be able to:

  • Understand the historical background of federal policy toward AI/AN, emphasizing health issues with a gradual progression toward present Indian health policy.
  • Enable the student to analyze and determine the intent of past legislation on AI/AN health programs, as well as current Indian health policies and programs.
  • Analyze the historical development, purposes, and functionality of the Indian Health Services (IHS).
  • Examine the purposes and functions of reservation health programs, community Urban Indian Health programs, and Federal and State health programs. Analyze how they relate to the Indian Health Service and determine what effects they have on AI/AN health care.
  • Understand the major diseases and causes of mortality affecting AI/AN in the past, present and future. Compare the current status of AI/AN health with other minority and white populations.
  • Enable students to identify and define the nature of programs, recommended solutions, and determine a path of service, and future directions for AI/AN health care.
  • Understand traditional Indian medicine and its current use in the care of Indian health problems along with modern western medicine.
  • Learn to do a sensitive, cultural, belief/spiritual assessment.
  • Gain an appreciation for AI/AN contributions to modern medicine and health.

COMMUNITY SERVICE COMPONENT:

This course includes a community service component which requires students to participate in a AIAN community event, preferably off campus.  Please be ready to spend at least 4 hours participating and reflecting upon one of the options which will be provided, or have approved by your instructor. This activity provides you with an opportunity to learn about the various AIAN cultures and traditional activities that exist and function locally.  Please be respectful and appreciative of the effort that has been made to welcome you into these activities, which are cultural and spiritual in nature.  You will be asked to write a Reflection paper about your experience. We will discuss the options and you will be able to sign up during class.