Message from Dr. Parker
Chokma!
The Chickasaw Nation Office of Health Policy collaborates with various tribal nations and actively participates on federal, state and local boards and committees. Examples of collaboration at the federal level include the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS), National Indian Health Board (NIHB) and the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA). At the state level, we often work with the Southern Plains Tribal Health Board (SPTHB) and Oklahoma Health Care Authority (OHCA).
To further serve and educate our citizens and employees, the office of health policy publishes health-related articles covering relevant topics around improving wellness and the overall quality of life in our communities. Find a variety of articles on topics such as men’s health, communicable diseases, cancer prevention, childhood immunizations, mental wellness and more.
We welcome your suggestions for topics and issues that are important to you. Please contact us at (580) 421-4582. We look forward to hearing from you.
Judy Goforth Parker, PhD, APRN
Chickasaw Nation Commissioner of Health Policy
What Is Health Policy?
Health policy works to minimize the obstacles people face in their everyday lives to achieve positive health outcomes and healthy lifestyles regardless of race, economic status or physical ability.
Policies can range from formal legislation to community outreach efforts and have impact beyond health care. Social environment, economic stability, health care access and food security are some of the many factors impacting the overall wellness of individuals and communities.
For example, city planners include sidewalks in development plans because they promote increased walking, accessibility and improved safety measures, creating a positive impact on public health.
Any policy, whether local, state or federal, with potential to improve health is considered a health policy. The Chickasaw Nation Office of Health Policy monitors policy at all levels and examines how it may impact tribal nations and especially Chickasaw citizens.