Disease prevention a priority for new IHS director

FROM THE ARCHIVE

Facebook Twitter Email
FRIDAY, JULY 18, 2003

The Senate voted late Wednesday to confirm Dr. Charles Grim as head of the Indian Health Service, nearly a year after he was first tapped as interim director of the agency charged with improving the health and welfare of millions of Native Americans.

Grim, a member of the Cherokee Nation of Oklahoma, has been with IHS for 20 years. A dentist by trade, he has served in a number of direct service and administrative capacities, most recently as the director of the Oklahoma City area office, which has the largest user base in the entire agency.

Confronted with high rates of diabetes, cardiovascular disease, cancer and other ills, Grim has a lot on his plate as the new IHS chief. At a joint Senate-House hearing on Wednesday, he said he will emphasize health promotion and disease prevention.

"I believe that 100 percent," he told the lawmakers. "Not only will that reduce the costs of health care in the long run and allow us to do more, but I also believe it because it's better for our people. They'll lead longer, healthier lives."

By almost any measure, American Indians and Alaska Natives are at the bottom of the barrel when it comes to health. Native death rates for diabetes, alcoholism, suicide and accidents are greater than all other races and ethnic groups, according to federal and independent studies.

It will take years to make a dent in these statistics Grim acknowledged on Wednesday. He said he will work with tribal leaders and IHS staff to focus on resolving chronic disease issues, particularly diabetes, which has exploded in Indian Country in recent years.

"We're seeing successes out there," he said of a Congressional initiative that will provide $750 million to tribes and Indian health organizations over the next five years. "We're seeing movement in the right direction."

Funding for IHS is currently under consideration as the House and Senate debate their respective appropriations bills. The House has called for $2.6 billion while the Senate is seeking $2.5 billion. Both are increases above the amount the Bush administration requested back in February.

Beyond health care issues, IHS is being affected by a consolidation initiative. In October, about 200 human resource employees will be transferred to the Department of Health and Human Services. About 16 positions will be eliminated as part of the effort.

Health and Human Services Secretary Tommy Thompson welcomed Grim's confirmation yesterday, calling him a "a compassionate leader, effective manager, and worthy advocate for Indian health programs."

In an e-mail to employees, Grim said being tapped to run IHS "is an unexpected and humbling opportunity as well as a great honor." "A factor in reaching my decision to accept the President's request that I serve as Director was knowing that the employees of the Indian Health Service are the most dedicated, loyal, and compassionate in helping carry out the mission of the agency," he wrote yesterday.

Relevant Links:
Indian Health Service - http://www.ihs.gov
Department of Health and Human Services - http://www.hhs.gov