Progress Report

Abstract

The purpose of this statement is to provide a progress report concerning the activities and accomplishments of the Committee on Indian Health. The Committee was established in late 1964 with the following objectives defined by the Executive Board: 1. To encourage experienced pediatricians to consider careers within the Indian Health Service. 2. To conduct or sponsor studies of special pediatric problems in Indian and Alaskan natives. 3. To provide leadership in the review and development of methods and procedures to improve the provision of pediatric services to the Indian and Alaskan native population. 4. To stimulate continuing individual and organizational interest in the Indian Health Program by pediatricians, particularly those in practice in areas with a large Indian population. 5. To establish a continuing liaison and professional relationship between the Academy and pediatricians assigned to the Indian Health Program. COMMITTEE ACTIVITIES Meetings Since its inception, the Committee has held formal meetings in Phoenix, Anchorage, Billings, Chicago, Washington, Albuquerque, Tucson, and Oklahoma City. Members of the Committee are physicians who are informed and interested in Indian health and who reside near Indian or Alaskan native populations. The Committee has seen the problems of American Indians and Alaskan natives firsthand during field trips to reservations and other locations with concentrations of Indian populations. Shortly after its establishment, the Committee saw the need to maintain continuing liaison with other committees and agencies. Therefore, a consultant from the National Institute of Child Health and Human Development was named to the Committee, and a liaison representative from the Committee on School Health of the Academy was added as a consultant.