"the People's Paths!" Cherokee News Path - Cherokee Principal Chief Attends Health Symposium

***"Chief Chad Smith, recently served on a panel during a symposium hosted by the Oklahoma Medical Research Foundation and University of Oklahoma College of Public Health."***

TAHLEQUAH, OK - In a continuous effort to promote health and wellness among Cherokee citizens, Chad Smith, Principal Chief of the Cherokee Nation, recently spoke during a symposium hosted by the Oklahoma Medical Research Foundation and University of Oklahoma College of Public Health.

“I was pleased to attend an event that addressed the health needs of American Indians,” said Smith. “The Cherokee Nation understands the importance of health and well-being among its citizens and works to provide programs that provide for the betterment of all of its citizens. It is reassuring to know that the federal government shares these same goals.”

U.S. Health and Human Services Secretary Michael Leavitt spoke at the symposium and cited prevention efforts both for diseases like diabetes and behavioral conditions like substance abuse. Leavitt also outlined nine priorities for improving health care among all Americans that included illness prevention, ensuring the availability of affordable health care and providing insurance for children in need. He also discussed a program created in 2006 by the Indian Health Service to deliver care for an array of chronic illnesses in a cost-effective manner. One of the five tribal sites selected for that program was Cherokee Nation Health Services.

“American Indians are not immune to the chronic diseases sweeping the nation,” said Leavitt. “Working collaboratively with tribal nations and organizations, we are implementing programs to provide access to critical health care and prevention services for all American Indian individuals and communities.”

Physicians and researchers from OMRF and the OU Health Sciences Center were also featured at the symposium along with a panel discussion led by tribal leaders. Some of the topics discussed were on diabetes, diseases of aging, health disparities and disease prevention.

“It was an honor to have Secretary Leavitt come to our state and address the health needs of Native American citizens,” said Smith. “A healthier Cherokee Nation will lead to a stronger one.”