NMDOH News:
Navajo Area Indian Health Service (NAIHS) and the New Mexico Department of Health (NMDOH) on June 23 signed a memorandum of agreement to strengthen collaboration on public health initiatives.
The agreement was signed by NAIHS Director Dr. DuWayne Begay and NMDOH Center for Health Protection Director Dr. Laura Chanchien Parajón.
This agreement reinforces a shared commitment to advancing public health through strengthening partnership, coordinated action, and the responsible exchange of information while honoring Tribal priorities, Tribal data sovereignty, and Tribal values.
“This agreement demonstrates what can be achieved when state and Tribal partners come together with a shared goal of improving health outcomes and advancing health equity,” NMDOH Cabinet Secretary Gina DeBlassie said. “With this agreement, we are doing more than establishing a framework for data exchange. We are building capacity for the future and reaffirming our commitment to protecting the health and well-being of the communities we serve.”
Among other measures, the agreement will:
- Make data sharing easier when public health information is needed in an emergency or outbreak situation.
- Improve the completeness of NMDOH’s substance use data by incorporating NAIHS emergency department and hospitalization data.
- Improve completeness of the northwest region’s Tribal data.
Developed with the support of NMDOH Tribal Liaison Janet Johnson and NMDOH Tribal Epidemiologist Desirae Martinez, the agreement recognizes the importance of respecting Tribal governance over data and ensuring that data sharing supports Tribal decision-making, public health planning and community well-being.
