Tribal and urban Indian communities need correct health information (data), so that community leaders can:

• Watch disease trends
• Respond to health threats
• Create useful health policies

The Northwest Tribal Epidemiology Center, along with experts from across the nation, developed this resource to help Tribes and Native-serving organizationsFor this resource, Native-serving organizations includes Tribal and urban Indian organizations and Tribal Epidemiology Centers (TECs). gain access to correct health information, so that leaders can make informed health decisions that uplift the health of American Indian and Alaska Native peoples.

Throughout, this resource offers practical guidance for obtaining and sharing health data in ways that honor Tribal sovereignty, data sovereignty, and public health authorityis the authority of a sovereign government to protect the health, safety, and welfare of its citizens. As sovereign nations, Tribes have the power to define how they will use this authority to protect and promote the health of their communities. The federal government recognizes Tribes and Tribal Epidemiology Centers (TECs) as public health authorities under federal law..

Inside you will find expert advice to help you:

• Decide if data sharingData sharing includes obtaining and sharing data.  is the best choice
• Build strong partnerships
• Develop strong data agreementsData sharing agreements are formal contracts that identify what data are being shared and how data will be used and protected.
• Exercise data sovereignty
• Know your rights

This resource also offers tips to individuals from local, state, and federal governments seeking to advance the health and healthcare of Native peopleNative people in this resource means American Indian and Alaska Native people..