Infectious Disease

Project Materials

National Vaccination Project: GPTEC worked with national and regional partners, subject-matter experts, community health representatives (CHRs), and the Great Plains and National CHR Associations to develop materials to promote adult vaccination in tribal communities. Materials include YouTube video PSAs, posters, reference materials, and others.

Substance Abuse & Hepatitis C Messaging: These materials were developed following extensive collaboration with representatives from the Indian Health Service, Northwest Portland Area Indian Health Board, and KAT Communications. They highlight the nature of substance abuse as a chronic disease, highlight its relationship to Hepatitis C, and advocate for a response to both.

Universal Precautions for Sundance Ceremonies Brochure: GPTEC is pleased to disseminate an updated version of a brochure promoting the application of Universal Precautions for Sundance Ceremonies, which help to prevent the spread of diseases like HIV and Hepatitis C during these sacred ceremonies. The original version of this pamphlet was developed in the 1990s in close collaboration with Sundance leaders, and was well-received as a result. For over a decade, local universal precaution practice trainings were held by Indian Health Service and tribal HIV Coordinators and available funds were utilized to support the dissemination of related supplies. Unfortunately, funding to support these initiatives and associated efforts have dwindled, though the need for them has not.

This new brochure provides the original language alongside contact tribal contact information and sources for the much-needed supplies to support these efforts.

In providing this updated resource, we would also like to strongly encourage local staff to assist us in sharing this information with your community and especially those leading and participating in Sundance Ceremonies. Where possible, we also would encourage local staff to supplement this information with training for Sundance leaders and Sun Dancers.

Follow this link to view and download the 2019 Universal Precautions for Sundance Ceremonies Brochure

GPTEC is also able to print copies of this brochure by request. Please contact us at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. to request printed copies or for more information.

Tribal Public Health Codes

“The term ‘public health law’ is often used to refer any statute or rule that protects public health and establishes a Public Health Authority to enforce the code… The code identifies a person who is in charge of receiving reportable disease data and responding to the information with the appropriate action. As sovereigns, Tribes have the power to act on data from their community in a way that protects the community. Without Tribal public health laws the Tribes may have difficulty responding to surveillance results.”

(Tribal Public Health Code Forum Report, May 2015)