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Overcoming Invisibility: Better Health Data for American Indians and Alaska Natives

Information on the American Indians and Alaska Natives (AIAN) population is critical now more than ever as COVID-19 is disproportionately impacting AIAN populations across the country.

Join UCLA Center for Health Policy Research Senior Public Administration Analyst Tara Becker, PhD, and Senior Research Scientist Riti Shimkhada, PhD, as they share findings from their forthcoming policy brief (co-authored by Susan H. Babey, PhD; AJ Scheitler, EdD; and Ninez A. Ponce, MPP, PhD) which examines AIAN data availability and the variations in estimates due to differences in coding and tabulating from eight large population health surveys. Becker and Shimkhada will discuss implications of the limited accessibility of AIAN information in population datasets and provide recommendations that may help improve availability of health information and our understanding of disparities within the American Indian and Alaska Native population. 

Speakers

Tara Becker

Tara Becker

Senior Public Administration Analyst

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Riti Shimkhada

Riti Shimkhada

Senior Research Scientist

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AJ Scheitler

AJ Scheitler

Director of Development, Engagement, and Strategic Planning

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Ninez A. Ponce

Ninez A. Ponce

Center Director, UCLA Center for Health Policy Research

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Upcoming Events

Thursday, May 28, 2026

Webinar // 12:00 PM — 1:00 PM

Navigating Our Future: Launch of the NHPI Social Determinants of Health Dashboard

Join us on Thursday, May 28, as the Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander (NHPI) Data Policy Lab unveils the new and improved Social Determinants of Health dashboard, featuring detailed data on NHPI health and factors that shape health across all 58 California counties.

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