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Rural Health
News by Topic: American Indian or Alaska Native

Nov 12, 2024 - The Census Bureau will hold two virtual tribal consultations on December 11, 2024, and January 15, 2025. The two webinars will offer a forum for tribes to learn about its Race/Ethnicity Coding Improvement Project, which allows tribes to provide feedback on how detailed race and/or ethnicity and American Indian or Alaska Native populations will be coded in the American Community Survey (ACS) and the 2030 Census, and to provide feedback. Questions and topic suggestions for the consultation meetings must be submitted by December 2, 2024.
Source: Federal Register
Oct 31, 2024 - Notice of final rule from the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Food and Nutrition Service (FNS) making access and parity improvements in USDA's food distribution programs to support access for eligible populations and streamline requirements for program operators. Among other things, changes are aimed at increasing access to food distribution programs so eligible individuals can more easily receive the nutrition resources they need, increasing parity between FDPIR and the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), modernizing program operations by updating some outdated terminology and processes, and incorporating lessons learned from implementing these critical programs during the COVID-19 pandemic. This rule is effective December 30, 2024.
Source: Federal Register
Oct 29, 2024 - Discusses racial disparities in overdose death trends between 2021 and 2023. While overdose deaths dropped for White Americans, deaths increased for Black and Indigenous Americans. Highlights harm reduction efforts across the country and funding issues. Notes that rural areas have unique access challenges.
Source: Stateline
Oct 27, 2024 - Describes lack of access to running water and electricity in some parts of the Navajo Nation, and the impacts on health and other aspects of life. Details federally-funded efforts to extend power lines and improve connectivity, which have faced challenges related to the rugged landscape and the large size of the Navajo Nation.
Source: Associated Press
Oct 25, 2024 - Notice from the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Food and Nutrition Service (FNS) seeking comments on a new information collection request related to the Food Distribution Program on Indian Reservations (FDPIR). Information collection will be used to provide current, nationally representative information on FDPIR participants and local program operations across the nation. The information collection will also provide FNS with a better understanding of the reasons for the decline in FDPIR participation and how to streamline and target food and nutrition education efforts, funding, and policy changes. Comments are due by December 24, 2024.
Source: Federal Register
Oct 24, 2024 - Notice from the Department of the Interior (DOI) Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA) seeking comments on an information collection titled "Request for Certificate of Degree of Indian or Alaska Native Blood." The information collected is used to certify that an individual's degree of Indian or Alaska Native blood under the laws authorizing BIA to administer program services to American Indians. Comments are due by November 25, 2024.
Source: Federal Register
Oct 24, 2024 - Highlights an Oklahoma summit discussing food security and food sovereignty for Indigenous tribes. The summit represented a partnership between state and national food banks and tribal leaders.
Source: Fox23