Northwest Portland Area Indian Health Board

The Northwest Portland Area Indian Health Board (NPAIHB) was formed in 1972 as a nonprofit tribal advisory organization that represents Northwest tribes on health-related matters and provides health-related technical assistance.

The NPAIHB represents all 43 federally recognized tribes in Washington, Oregon, and Idaho. Its Governing Board is comprised of Delegates designated by the tribal government of each of the member tribes. The Delegates are responsible for ensuring that NPAIHB's projects fulfill its mission, which is to assist Northwest tribes to improve the health status and quality of life of member tribes and Indian people in their delivery of culturally appropriate and holistic health care. NPAIHB administers the Northwest Tribal Epidemiology Center, which provides a broad range of support to member tribes in the areas of health research, surveillance, and capacity.

To accomplish its mission the governing board is responsible for:

1. Assisting tribes in developing their capacity to engage the health problems that are presented.
2. Providing a forum for the development of unified tribal positions on matters affecting health care to Indian communities.
3. Maintaining an effective partnership with the IHS to strengthen and improve the delivery of health services to Indian communities throughout the Northwest.
4. Developing relationships with state offices and other agencies dealing with health matters to assure that tribal interests are taken into account as health policy is formulated.
5. Providing a strong voice on health related issues at the national level.
   
   

Activities

NWCPHP works actively with NPAIHB to design and implement specific training activities, assist in the development of a statewide workforce development strategy and support efforts to build greater capacity for public health education and training particularly in relation to tribal organizations throughout Idaho, Oregon, and Washington. Examples include:

• Assisting in facilitating the NPAIHB Annual Emergency Preparedness Conference through technical assistance, coordination, and faculty involvement.
• NPAIHB and NWCPHP collaborated in completing an Emergency Preparedness assessment for tribes in Idaho, Oregon, and Washington.
• NPAIHB became an official regional partner of the NWCPHP and joined the Regional Network Steering Committee in 2003.