Community engagement of American Indian tribes in policy development: A case study

When the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) asked the Association of State and Territorial Health Officials (ASTHO) to draft national planning guidance on at-risk populations and pandemic influenza planning, it marked the first time CDC requested outside policy development using a grassroots approach. ASTHO and project partner the Center for Infectious Disease Research & Policy (CIDRAP) in turn used an engagement process to obtain input for the guidance, including from American Indian tribal leadership and at-risk members of several tribes.

Two engagement meetings were developed with tribal leaders and members, modeled on previous successful engagements with at-risk populations. The meetings took place on tribal land, with a focus on peer-to-peer sharing of personal and professional experience.

Topics included: how to develop and maintain partnerships between state and local public health agencies and sovereign nations; what factors affect at-risk tribal members in an influenza pandemic; and what at-risk tribal members need in an influenza pandemic.

These meetings provided an opportunity for two-way engagement and learning. Tribal members and officials had direct input on national policy affecting tribes, and ASTHO and CIDRAP obtained feedback from one of their key audiences for the guidance.

This presentation will: describe the process of engaging tribes on key topics in pandemic influenza preparedness, including what steps were taken to make the meetings more culturally appropriate; highlight the key policy recommendations and considerations developed from the engagement meetings; and share lessons learned for planning and conducting meetings with tribes.