Tribes also can provide nutrition service support to tribal members in various ways, including via traditional food distributions, classes, harvesting education, and support; they may also provide food storage items, such as freezers and vacuum sealers. Many small communities have access to farmers market boxes in the summer; many urban grocery stores now deliver foods for a small fee.
Access to Health Care Anchorage is home to the ANTHC central hub and hospital, the Alaska Native Medical Center (ANMC). Te ANMC offers advanced health care treatment to Alaska Native and American Indian people and is comanaged by tribal health organizations (THOs), the Southcentral Foundation (SCF), and the ANTHC. Current focus in the ANTHC is on comprehensive health care and prevention services built on the strengths of Alaska Native culture,
FIGURE 2 Alaska Native Health System
patients working in close partnership with health care providers, and staying connected via telemedicine.23
83 Figure 2
presents a map of the Alaska Native Health System. Most Alaska Native people rely on and receive their
health care through the ANTHC system, which is par- tially funded with federal dollars. Other monies to support programming can be obtained through insurance billing, other grants (federal, state or foundation), charitable contri- butions, and other funding opportunities. Limited funding can impact a THO’s ability to offer varying or expansive nutrition programs. Most villages in Alaska use a community health aide (CHA), a local trained health care professional working under the guidance of a physician and what is known as the Alaska Community Health Aide Manual.CHAs provide emergent, acute, or chronic care to the community. Other types of health aides in Alaska include behavioral and dental health aides.24
Reprinted with permission from Alaska Native Tribal Health Consortium.