Located across the United States, the 12 Tribal Epidemiology Centers (TECs) offer epidemiologic and public health support to American Indian and Alaska Native (AIAN) communities, Tribes, Tribal organizations, and urban Indian organizations (T/TO/UIOs). They share the mission to improve AIAN health through seven core functions.
Data is essential to the work of TECs. Permanently reauthorized in 2010, the Indian Health Care Improvement Act (IHCIA) designates TECs as public health authorities. In this role, TECs can access data, including protected health information, held by the US Department of Health and Human Services for various public health activities.
Each TEC is unique and may vary in structure, staffing, programs, and how they operationalize the seven core functions based on Area needs and funding sources. The TECs work to improve American Indian and Alaska Native health by identifying health risks, strengthening public health capacity, and developing solutions for disease prevention and control. Per the IHCIA, TECs perform the following seven core functions:
- 1. Collecting and monitoring data;
2. Evaluating data and health care delivery systems;
3. Identifying health priorities;
4. Making recommendations for health service needs;
5. Making recommendations for improving health care delivery systems;
6. Providing epidemiologic and other technical assistance; and
7. Providing disease surveillance.
Each TEC addresses the Seven Core Functions in their own unique way, working in partnership with T/TO/UIOs and others based on their priorities and needs.