Center for Climate and Health (CCH) -

CCH assists the Alaska Tribal Health System (ATHS) to adapt to new and emerging health conditions associated with climate change. CCH is currently working with the Maniilaq Association and the Northwest Arctic Borough to perform community assessments. With funding from IHS this projects identifies climate vulnerabilities and provides assistance in developing adaptation plans. A site visit of Kivalina was performed in late July. A draft report for Point Hope was distributed for partner review in September. Contact: akaclimate@anthc.org

Emergency Preparedness -

Emergency Preparedness (EP) assists the Alaska Tribal Health System (ATHS) prepare for disasters and emergencies. The program is funded by grants from the Centers for Disease Control through the Alaska Division of Health and Social Services. Alaska is vulnerable to a broad variety of hazards including earthquakes, floods, tsunamis, volcanic eruptions, wildfires and epidemics. EP provides workshops and technical assistance to help clinics develop emergency preparedness capacity. During the past quarter the focus was on developing and implementing plans to deal with the H1N1 pandemic. This included disseminating anti viral medication and personal protective equipment. EP also participated with the State Division of Health and Social Services in developing the H1N1 immunization program. Pandemic flu workshops helping communities and tribal health organizations were also conducted  in Nome, Kotzebue, Ketchikan, Juneau, Sitka and Dillingham.    

Health Impact Assessment Program -

ANTHC believes that responsible resource development should include a scientific evaluation of health benefits and risks. The Health Impact Assessment (HIA) Program performs health analysis during the permitting and decision-making process for natural resource development projects. Last quarter, the HIA Program continued its work with an EPA contract to perform a HIA for the Chuitna Coal Project alongside the State of

Contact: akahiap@anthc.org

Health Village Environments Program -

Rural Alaska communities face many unique environmental challenges. It is the goal of the Healthy Village Environments (HVE) Program to support local projects that can help make communities safe, healthy and sustainable. In partnership with EPA and RurAL CAP, HVE provides funding for Environmental Demonstration Grants in Alaska. During the past quarter, HVE has provided technical assistance to grant recipients and were privilaged to conduct site visits to Port Graham, Kalskag and Tununak. HVE planned and prepared for the new FY10 Community Environmental Demonstration Project (CEDP) grant solicitation which is to be released on October 5, 2009. 

Contact: akahve@anthc.org

Maternal Organics Monitoring Study -

The Maternal Organic Monitoring Study (MOMS), formerly know as the Traditional Foods Safety Program, monitors contaminant and nutrient levels in traditional foods, and through voluntary enrollment, samples of maternal and newborn blood. Pregnant women in the Yukon Kuskokwim Delta may enroll in the MOMS. MOMS has been collecting and analyzing maternal blood since 1999, to ensure continued safety of the traditional diet, to assess benefits and monitors possible risks to the Alaska Native population. With funding from EPA and Centers for Disease Control (CDC), and in partnership with the Yukon Kuskokwim Health Corporation, we will be recruiting 200 pregnant women starting in December, 2009. Pregnant women who are seen at the Bethel Hospital Prenatal Clinic can find out more information, starting in mid-November, and can enroll at the first prenatal visit, or as soon thereafter as possible. A web page with more information about the MOMS program will be available soon.