Guide to Equity in the Indian Health Service

This guide equips advocates and other changemakers with critical information for advancing equity in the Indian Health Service (IHS), including background on the IHS funding and mission, an overview of major challenges to accessing health care and health inequities experienced by American Indian and Alaska Native people, and a summary of policy opportunities for advancing equity. It covers the following topics:IHS overview key population characteristics providers and service delivery financing details barriers to access, quality, and equitable outcomes documented disparities primary oversight entities and accountability mechanisms policies and actions to reduce barriers and disparities a vignette illustrating accessing health care on the reservation additional resources and a glossary This guide is part of a larger project on inequities and policy levers in the US health care system. For the complete guide, visit https://www.urban.org/projects/guide-equity-us-health-care-system.