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Chronic conditions such as diabetes, cardiovascular disease, asthma, renal disease, depression, and cancer have become increasingly prevalent in American Indian and Alaska Native communities and are placing growing demands on health care systems. Given the limited available resources, there is an urgent need for a strategic plan to address the treatment and prevention of chronic conditions in the Indian Health Service (IHS) health care system.

 

To address the health challenges and disparities facing Indian people today, the Institute for Healthcare Improvement (IHI) and the Indian Health Service launched a partnership in 2006 to support the planning and implementation of the Improving Patient Care program (formerly known as the Chronic Care Initiative).

 

The Improving Patient Care (IPC) program strives to implement strategies within the Indian Health System (federal, tribal, and urban health organizations) that support community and individual wellness and strength. By adapting an extended version of the Chronic Care Model, the IPC is working to improve the health status of patients and populations by reducing the prevalence and impact of multiple conditions (instead of care based on managing individual conditions). These improvements will be developed, tested, and packaged in such a manner that they can be spread throughout the Indian Health system.