[Federal Register Volume 65, Number 143 (Tuesday, July 25, 2000)]
[Notices]
[Pages 45776-45777]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 00-18702]


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DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

[Program Announcement 00101]


Announcement of a Cooperative Agreement with the American Indian 
Higher Education Consortium (AIHEC) To Enhance Research, 
Infrastructure, and Capacity Building Notice of Availability of Funds

A. Purpose

    The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the Agency 
for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR) announce the 
availability of fiscal year (FY) 2000 funds for a cooperative agreement 
program with the American Indian Higher Education Consortium (AIHEC). 
The purpose of the program is to assist the AIHEC in developing the 
commitment and capacity of their member institutions to promote 
education, development, research, leadership and community partnerships 
that enhance the participation of American Indians/Alaska Natives in 
the health professions; and to enhance the health status of American 
Indians/Alaska Natives in the United States.
    The CDC and ATSDR are committed to achieving the health promotion 
and disease prevention objectives of ``Healthy People 2010'', a 
national activity to reduce morbidity and mortality and to improve the 
quality of life. This announcement is related to the ``Healthy People 
2010'' objectives which specify improving the health of groups of 
people bearing a disproportionate burden of poor health as compared to 
the total population. The framework of ``Heathy People 2010'' consists 
of two broad goals which are to:

1. Increase quality and years of healthy life; and
2. Eliminate health disparities.

    Healthy People'' is the national prevention initiative that 
identifies opportunities to improve the health of all Americans. For 
the conference copy of ``Healthy People 2010'' visit the internet site: 
http://www.health.gov/healthypeople>
    The life expectancy of Americans has steadily increased. In 1979, 
when the first ``Healthy People: The Surgeon General's Report on Health 
Promotion and Disease Prevention'' was published, average life 
expectancy was 73.7 years. Based on current mortality experience, 
babies born in 1995 are expected to live 75.8 years. However, people 
have become increasingly interested in other health goals, such as 
preventing disability, improving functioning, and relieving pain and 
the distress caused by physical and emotional symptoms.
    The proportion of the population who assess their current health 
status positively has not changed substantially during the past decade. 
In 1987, the percentage was 90.4 percent. During the same period, the 
percentage of the population reporting that they were limited in major 
activity due to chronic conditions actually increased from 18.9 percent 
in 1988, to 21.4 percent in 1995.
    Eliminating disparities by the year 2010 will require new knowledge 
about the determinants of disease and effective interventions for 
prevention and treatment. It will also require improved access for all 
to the resources that influence health. Reaching this goal will 
necessitate improved collection and use of standardized data to 
correctly identify all high-risk populations and monitor the 
effectiveness of health interventions targeting these groups. Research 
dedicated to a better understanding of the relationships between health 
status and income, education, race and ethnicity, cultural influences, 
environment, and access to quality medical services will help us 
acquire new insights into eliminating the disparities and developing 
new ways to apply our existing knowledge toward this goal. Improving 
access to quality health care and the delivery of preventive and 
treatment services will require working more closely with communities 
to identify culturally sensitive implementation strategies.
    Although health statistics on race, ethnicity, socioeconomic status 
and disabilities are sparse, the data we do have demonstrates the 
volume of work needed to eliminate health disparities. The greatest 
opportunities for improvement and the greatest threats to the future 
health status of the Nation reside in the population groups that have 
historically been disadvantaged economically, educationally and 
politically.

B. Eligible Applicants

    Assistance will be provided only to the American Indian Higher 
Education Consortium (AIHEC). No other applications are solicited.
    The American Indian Higher Education Consortium (AIHEC), a non-
profit 501(c)(3) tax exempt organization under the Internal Revenue 
Code, was formed in October, 1972, by six Indian community colleges 
with a view toward mobilizing a concerted effort to deal with 
developmental problems common to them all. AIHEC was established for 
the purpose of providing or facilitating technical assistance and 
training programs to assist in the development of its member schools.
    AIHEC was established as an exercise in tribal sovereignty with 
which to meet the expressed needs of each institution's tribal 
population. AIHEC believes these institutions to be the only ones that 
comprehensively address the technical development needs of their 
constituent tribes while promoting and enhancing their tribal cultures 
and representing the tribes within the broader academic community.
    AIHEC is responsible for providing training and assistance based on 
individual needs and organizational resources. The AIHEC colleges and 
universities are the most appropriate and qualified institutions to 
provide services specified under this cooperative agreement because:
    1. AIHEC is sponsored in part by 30 member Tribal Colleges and 
Universities (TCUs) located throughout the United States. The 
consortium began

[[Page 45777]]

with six Tribal colleges in 1972 and has expanded to 30 institutions, 
which exist today. AIHEC strives to serve the common needs of its 
member institutions by providing the infrastructure for educational 
advancement.
    2. The consortium of Tribal Colleges and Universities (TCUs) 
individually serve the diverse needs of Tribal Nations and Native 
American people in 12 States within the United States.
    3. Each institution has unique methods in serving their respective 
population. AIHEC is the only national Native American organization 
that is comprised of and specifically charged with representing the 
TCUs.
    4. The AIHEC is uniquely positioned to consult with TCUs because 
their main purpose is to be the primary advocate and liaison when 
collaborating with the Federal government, State government, World 
Health Organization, universities, colleges, and other organizations.
    5. The majority of graduates from TCUs work with the Federal 
government and Tribal government.
    6. AIHEC is currently promoting public health initiatives among 
tribal members to improve the health status of the Indian Nations. Each 
institution is unique in two ways: (1) they attempt to organize and 
deliver services to the Indian people; and (2) they administer health 
care to Indian people within their respective area.
    7. AIHEC promotes public health activities and the Healthy People 
2010 Objectives in pursuit of improving the health status of American 
Indians/Alaska Natives.
    8. AIHEC strives to assist the Indian Nations in the development 
and implementation of the highest standards of education that are 
consistent with the inherent rights of tribal sovereignty and self-
determination.
    9. AIHEC has provided a critical framework for TCUs in serving 
their tribal communities as a resource to comprehensively address the 
technical and economic development needs of their constituents. TCUs 
serve their communities as resources for research, human resource 
development, and community organization.
    10. The overall goal for AIHEC and the TCUs is to provide 
educational programs that respond to the community and student needs.
    11. The Tribal college's vision in organizing the AIHEC is to unify 
and strengthen the tribal colleges' curriculum within the Federal and 
State governments, focusing on health and prevention. The organization 
has well established linkages with American Indians/Alaska Natives, 
National Indian organizations and Federal agencies.
    12. AIHEC has experience in managing activities and resources 
through cooperative agreements with Federal, State and local 
governments.

C. Availability of Funds

    Approximately $200,000 is available in FY 2000 to fund this 
cooperative agreement. AIHEC will solicit applications for special 
projects and fund subawards within the scope of this program 
announcement. Subawards will be funded through CDC and ATSDR. A 
cumulative award of approximately $2,000,000 to the AIHEC is expected 
during FY 2000. It is expected that the awards will begin on September 
30, 2000.
    Funding estimates may vary and are subject to change. Continuation 
awards within the project period will be made on the basis of 
satisfactory progress and the availability of funds.

D. Where to obtain Additional Information

    A complete program description and information on application 
procedures are contained in the application package. Business 
management technical assistance may be obtained from: Sharon Robertson, 
Senior Grants Management Specialist, Grants Management Branch, 
Procurement and Grants Office, Centers for Disease Control and 
Prevention (CDC) 2920 Brandywine Road, Room 3000, M.S. E-15, Koger 
Center, Colgate Building, Atlanta, Georgia 30341-3724. Telephone 770-
488-2720. E-mail address [email protected].
    Program technical assistance may be obtained from: Karen E. Harris, 
Senior Advisor for Research Projects, Office of the Associate Director 
for Minority Health, Office of the Director, Centers for Disease 
Control and Prevention, 1600 Clifton Road, Northeast, Mailstop D-39, 
Atlanta, Georgia 30333. Telephone (404) 639-4313, e-mail address 
[email protected].

    Dated: July 19, 2000.
Henry S. Cassell, III,
Acting Director, Procurement and Grants Office, Centers for Disease 
Control and Prevention (CDC).
[FR Doc. 00-18702 Filed 7-24-00; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4163-18-P