Urban Indian Infectious Disease Prevention and Emergency Preparedness Network - Urban Indian Infectious Disease Prevention and Emergency Preparedness Network: Building national partnerships to strengthen Urban Indian Organization capacity for the prevention of emerging and reemerging infectious diseases through technical assistance, workforce development, and public health preparedness. Project Abstract: The National Council of Urban Indian Health (NCUIH) proposes the Urban Indian Infectious Disease Prevention and Emergency Preparedness Network, a national initiative designed to strengthen infection prevention and control (IPC), public health emergency preparedness, and healthcare system resilience within Urban Indian Organizations (UIOs) serving American Indian and Alaska Native (AI/AN) communities. More than 70% of AI/AN people live in urban areas, where they continue to experience disproportionate health disparities and increased vulnerability to infectious disease outbreaks. Through its national network of 41 UIOs, NCUIH will work collaboratively with healthcare providers, public health professionals, federal partners, academic institutions, and other stakeholders to strengthen organizational capacity, expand workforce development, and improve the dissemination and implementation of evidence-based public health guidance tailored to the unique needs of urban AI/AN communities. The project consists of three integrated components. The first component will establish the organizational infrastructure, partnerships, and coordination mechanisms necessary to support national public health emergency preparedness and response across the Urban Indian health system. The second component will focus on improving the dissemination, adaptation, and implementation of evidence-based guidance related to emerging and re-emerging infectious diseases through workforce and stakeholder engagement, targeted TA on response planning, and culturally responsive educational resources. The third component will strengthen capacity to prevent antimicrobial resistance and healthcare-associated infections by supporting antimicrobial stewardship, enhancing healthcare system resilience, identifying system-level barriers to effective infection prevention and control, and expanding workforce readiness. Collectively, these activities are intended to increase organizational capacity, strengthen the knowledge and preparedness of frontline healthcare and public health professionals, improve adoption of evidence-based infection prevention and control practices, enhance emergency response planning, and ultimately improve the health and safety of urban AI/AN communities nationwide.
