A 50-Year Commitment to American Indian and Alaska Native Women

Abstract

Since 1970, the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists' Committee on American Indian and Alaska Native Women's Health has partnered with the Indian Health Service and health care facilities serving Native American women to improve quality of care in both rural and urban settings. Needs assessments have included formal surveys, expert panels, consensus conferences, and onsite program reviews. Improved care has been achieved through continuing professional education, recruitment of volunteer obstetrician–gynecologists, advocacy, and close collaboration at the local and national levels. The inclusive and multifaceted approach of this program should provide an effective model for collaborations between specialty societies and health care professionals providing primary care services that can reduce health disparities in underserved populations.

Challenges, Changes, and Caring

“…For 30 years, the ACOG Fellows in Service to Native American Women program sent volunteers to IHS facilities for short tours of duty to address periodic temporary shortages. 7 Understanding this precedent, and using our longstanding partnership with the IHS, I will ask the Committee to study the feasibility of establishing subspecialty consultation through telemedicine or other means for these facilities.…”

“…The contributions of this partnership have contributed to reducing racial disparities in women's and infants' health outcomes. 7 There are certified nurse-midwives, family physicians, and more than 60 ob-gyns who provide care in IHS and tribal hospitals. One of the ongoing challenges for these health care professionals is access to subspecialty care for their patients.…”

“…The contributions of this partnership have contributed to reducing racial disparities in women's and infants' health outcomes. 7…”