For Release: Jan. 28, 2013 – Pamela Williams, Office of Communications – 405/271-5601                                            

Tribal Health Issues to be Addressed in Regional Listening Sessions

In an effort to improve the health and wellbeing of American Indians living in Oklahoma, the Oklahoma State Department of Health, in collaboration with the Oklahoma Health Care Authority and representatives from Oklahoma’s tribal nations, will host a series of listening sessions in upcoming weeks to identify and address tribal health needs in the state.

Regional Tribal Consultation Sessions will be offered in six communities from February 1 through March 1. Among the topics for discussion will be access to preventive health care, reducing chronic diseases and childhood obesity, and improving disparities in health and health care among Oklahoma’s American Indians. In addition, the state health agencies will be seeking input into the development of an Oklahoma Plan to reduce the number of uninsured and the costs of health care.

“We believe these sessions can provide the guideposts for collaboration that we need to assure our state’s First Oklahomans receive culturally competent public health services,” said State Health Commissioner Dr. Terry Cline.

Written comments will be accepted through March 15, 2013, and should be submitted to:

Office of the Tribal Liaison
Oklahoma State Department of Health
1000 NE 10th Street, Room 503.1
Oklahoma City, OK 73117-1299

Date, location and time of the sessions are as follows:

• February 1 – Citizen Potawatomi South Reunion Hall, 1702 S. Gordon Cooper, Shawnee; Host: Citizen Potawatomi Nation; 9:30 a.m. – 11:30 a.m.
  
• February 8:

  Oklahoma State Department of Health Tribal Listening Session
  Hosted by Chairman Coffey, Comanche Nation
  Friday, February 8, 2013
  10:00 am to 11:30 am

  Comanche Nation Tribal Complex
  Higher Education Building
  584 NW Bingo Road
  Lawton, OK 73507
  Tribal Administration Office Number: 580-3240

  
  
• February 13 -- Pawnee Tribal Complex, Roam Chief Building, 810 Morris Road, Pawnee; Host: Pawnee Nation; 9 a.m. – 11:30 a.m.
  
• February 15 – Armory, 100 N. Water Street, Tahlequah; Host: Cherokee Nation; 9 a.m. – 11:30 a.m.
  
• February 22 -- Kiamichi Vo-Tech; 301 Kiamichi Drive, McAlester; Host: Choctaw Nation; 10 a.m. – 12 noon
  
• March 1 -- Bear Skin Healthcare and Wellness Center; 1 Turtle Drive, Wyandotte; Host: Wyandotte Nation, 10 a.m. – 12 noon

For more information, contact the Office of the Tribal Liaison at the Oklahoma State Department of Health, (405) 271-5170.

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