ANTHC Alaska Native Epidemiology Center

11/15/2025

Did you know diabetes affects Alaska Native communities at higher rates? Learn the facts!

epi.anthc.org/factsheets/

Image copyright Wayde Carroll Photography waydecarroll.com

11/12/2025

We are excited to announce that Alaska Maternal Child Health and Immunization (MCHI) and the Alaska Public Health Association (ALPHA) are partnering to offer a joint summit in 2026! The summit will take place January 20-22, 2026 at the Dena’ina Center in Anchorage, AK.

The 2026 theme will be Stronger Together: Strengthening Public Health Through Partnerships. Along with sessions focused on public health in Alaska, there will be an MCHI track through the 3-day conference focusing on Maternal, Family, Child, and Immunization health.

Early registration is now open! alaskapublichealth.org/registration
Ticket includes a one-year ALPHA membership ($100 value).

The Alaska Maternal Child Health and Immunization Conference brings rural and urban health professionals together to learn about best practices and tools for the prevention of key and emerging MCH and family health issues.

The Alaska MCHI conference is a collaboration between the Alaska Division of Public Health and the Alaska Native Tribal Health Consortium’s Alaska Native Tribal Epidemiology Center and is held every two years.

Stay tuned or sign up to receive information about the January 20-22, 2026

11/10/2025

Regular screening saves lives—learn more about breast cancer screening recommendations and early detection in Alaska Native communities: Breast Cancer Screening.

Breast cancer screening is a measure of females aged 50–74 years who reported a mammogram within the last two years. The U.S. Preventive Services Task Force currently recommends mammograms to test for early signs of breast cancer every two years for females aged 50–74 years.37 Note that as of 2021 they are reviewing their current breast cancer screening recommendations and may release new guidelines in the future.

A mammogram is an x-ray of the breast. Among women at average risk, mammograms are the recommended way to find breast cancer early when it is easier to treat.

https://epi.anthc.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/Breast-Cancer-Screening.pdf

Image Copyright: Wayde Carroll Photography @ waydecarroll.com

11/08/2025

Every day is dental hygiene day! Brush 2 minutes, 2 times a day, every day, to keep your mouth healthy. Help kids develop good dental habits early to keep their teeth healthy over their lifetime.

Childhood dental caries includes Alaska Native mothers who self-reported their infants or children have ever experienced dental caries. Data from the Alaska Oral Assessment are based on visual inspections performed by dentists at the child’s school. Caries, also referred to as cavities or tooth decay, are caused by a bacterial infection that destroys the hard outer protective lining of the teeth.! Learn more athttps://epi.anthc.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/Childhood-Dental-Caries.pdf

Photo Copyright: Wayde Carroll Photography waydecarroll.com

10/21/2025

10/17/2025

UPDATED: 8:45 p.m., Thursday, Oct. 16, 2025. Please share.

Individuals from communities affected by flooding who have not yet notified their community leader or shelter manager of their desire to leave should do that immediately.

After conversations with communities and shelter managers, we understand there are less than 100 individuals who are still looking for transportation from communities affected by flooding to a safe location in Anchorage, Bethel or another location of their choosing in the YK region.

Beginning Friday, Oct. 17, YKHC will request the State Emergency Operations Center to begin assisting YKHC and community partners with stabilization of housing, utilities and infrastructure before freeze up, which we anticipate will occur within weeks.

We will continue to share information and updates on our social media channels as they become available.

10/17/2025

10/07/2025

Prevention starts with connection—and it’s saving lives. The Native Village of Kipnuk is strengthening its community and reducing su***de through the Kipnuk Community-Wide Wellness Program. With support from the 2025 GCI Su***de Prevention grant, nearly every adult in the village, from Elders to teachers, will be trained in QPR (Question, Persuade, Refer) Gatekeeper skills, alongside events that celebrate Yup’ik culture.

This year, the GCI Su***de Prevention Fund at the Alaska Community Foundation is supporting 12 organizations as they put innovative ideas into action. From Juneau to Selawik, they are providing youth mentoring, school-based programs, clinical training, and community-wide cultural initiatives. Together, these efforts are creating connection, resilience, and lifesaving support for Alaskans of all ages.

Learn more about the 2025 GCI Su***de Prevention grant awardees at alaskacf.org/prevention.

GCI, Fairbanks North Star Borough School District, Providence Alaska Foundation, Big Brothers Big Sisters of Alaska, Native Village of Selawik, Alaska Behavioral Health, Seward Prevention Coalition, Norton Sound Health Corporation, Native Village of Kipnuk, NAMI Juneau, Alaska Children's Trust, Maniilaq Association, Identity, Inc.

10/07/2025

We are now accepting applications for the 2026 Indian Health Geriatric Nurse Fellowship! Be one of 20 RNs, APRNs, and LPNs from IHS, tribal, and urban Indian health care settings to receive up to $7,500 in financial support. The fellowship kicks off in January and includes training, mentored activities, leadership involvement, networking, certification options, and more. Apply by November 14: https://bit.ly/4ewQE8C

10/07/2025