Indigenous Health Indicators (IHIs) are community-based indicators of indigenous health specific to a Native American tribal community. IHIs provide a tangible evaluation method for a Tribe to demonstrate their respective health and wellbeing priorities, based on their worldviews and cultures. By constructing a more complex, narrative set of indicators beyond the physiological for tribal communities, a more accurate picture of health status is gained with which to better evaluate and manage Tribal public health risks and impacts.
For this project, Dr. Jamie Donatuto is producing IHIs with two California Native American Tribes, Pechanga Band of Indians and Dry Creek Rancheria Band of Pomo Indians (see Tribal Partners page). The IHIs will serve as invaluable tools the Tribes can use to identify and advocate for their health/wellness priorities and interests during the state/local environmental decision-making process.
More information on IHIs:
- "Preparing for the Health Impacts of Climate Change" Guide for Tribes
- Research papers:
- "Developing Responsive Indicators of Indigenous Community Health," 2016, Jamie Donatuto, Larry Campbell, and Robin Gregory
- "The 'Value' of Values-Driven Data in Identifying Indigenous Health and Climate Change Priorities," 2020, Jamie Donatuto, et al.
- Swinomish Indian Tribal Community:
- Indigenous Health Indicators Site
- Explanatory IHIs video featuring Mr. Campbell and Dr. Donatuto
Support for this project was provided by the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation’s Policies for Action program and the Henry Luce Foundation. The views expressed here do not necessarily reflect the views of either Foundation.
