State and Tribal Officials Agree on Health Collaboration

None by KCPW

(KCPW News) Representatives of eight Indian tribes in Utah signed an agreement with Governor Huntsman yesterday in hopes of improving communication over health issues. Huntsman says the need was highlighted during his recent Native American Summit:

"Heretofore there really hasn't been a lot of interaction in the area of medical collaboration," says Huntsman. "This focuses on the human condition, it calls for consultations, increased communication and sharing good ideas. And we've never tried that before."

According to the Utah Department of Health, the approximately 33-thousand American Indians in Utah have more health problems than the overall population. Navajos comprise the largest segment of Utah's Native American community. Navajo Nation Vice President Frank Dayish joined Governor Huntsman in signing the consultation agreement:

"We have major health disaparities for the Navajo Nation," says Dayish. "With the consultation policy we can make tremendous strides in defining what our needs are and what the state's concerns are."

The document formalizes a process for tribal leaders to get access to state health resources.

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