American Indian Community House
134 W. 29th St., 4th Floor
New York, NY 10001
Tel: (212) 598-0100
Administrative Hours:
Monday - Friday
9:30 a.m. - 5:30 p.m.
The purpose of the Health Department at the American Indian Community House is to promote a higher quality of health through education, prevention, and cultural awareness for American Indians and Alaskan Natives residing in the five boroughs of New York City and the greater New Jersey area.
Our Programs
The AICH Health Department provides onsite services such as behavioral health, diabetes, food and nutrition, and wellness with a focus on American Indians and Alaskan Natives. The Health Department gives the Native community access to quality health services through partnerships with offsite medical service providers, connecting clients with affordable healthcare options.
Behavioral Health
The American Indian Community House provides supportive and comprehensive case management services for alcohol/substance abuse and mental health. All group healing activities and programs strive to incorporate the traditional values and beliefs of the American Indian community.
The Behavioral Health Program aims to provide a support system for American Indian and Alaskan Native men and women. When need be, Behavioral Health staff provides referrals to culturally sensitive behavioral health professionals and facilities to allow access to necessary care. Behavioral Health staff treat clients in a holistic manner, concentrating not only on the body, but also on the mind and spirit.
Our Focus
Mental Health
Alcohol & Substance Abuse
Diabetes
The AICH Diabetes Education and Treatment Program helps the Indigenous American community of New York City prevent new cases of type 2 diabetes and in complications where possible through individual and group education and activities. The number of cases of type 2 diabetes and its complications of kidney failure, blindness, neurological damage, stroke, and cardio-vascular disease has been increasing at alarming rates in Indian Country over the last 40 years. AICH is working to reverse that rising number.
How Does Diabetes Affect Native Americans?
Native Americans, including Alaskan natives, and Pacific Islanders are 2.8 times more likely to have diagnosed diabetes than non-Hispanic whites of a similar age. In fact, the rate of type 2 diabetes is higher among Native Americans than in any other racial or ethnic group in the us. The Indian Health Service reports that of 2.3 self-identified American Indians, 70,000 were receiving treatment for diabetes in 1998. Most Natives seeking diabetes treatment have type 2 diabetes, which is largely preventable with life-style changes, such as increasing activity levels and eating a diet that is low in fats and low in starches with a high-glycemic index.
Traditional Foods Can Make a Difference!
Eating the foods below in moderation, instead of fattier meats and more sugary starches or carbohydrates can help you prevent type 2 diabetes:
Food & Nutrition
Food is not only essential for survival, it is also a means of adding strength to our minds and bodies. The Indigenous Peoples of the Western Hemisphere contributed many basic foods to the world's modern table. The contributions of traditional grains, such as amaranth, quinoa, and wild rice continue to be some of the healthiest grains available. Lean game meats, bison, and fish from this continent remain as foods high in protein and low in fat that help build muscle with less risk of raising LDL cholesterol than commercially produced beef, for instance.
Wellness
The Wellness Program provides wellness and education services to American Indians and Alaskan Natives and empowers them to make lifestyle changes that will alter the course of their health and lives. Focusing on screening, education, and promotion of healthy lifestyles, the Wellness Program provides on-site case management as well as access to affordable health care services with clinical providers.
The Women's Wellness Circle Project
The Women's Wellness Circle Project was created in 1979 to provide American Indian and Alaskan Native women an environment to take pride in their health through support, advocacy, education, and empowerment. By utilizing cultural specific strategies, the project provides a forum that addresses current health barriers that confront native women.
The goal of the Women’s Wellness Program is to help our New York Native Community of women and families become healthier by developing, coordinating, implementing, and disseminating effective health promotion and chronic disease prevention programs through collaboration with NY Health Care Facilities and by building on individual, family, and community strengths.
IHS ELIGIBILITY FOR SERVICES
AICH HEALTH DEPARTMENT POLICY
The AICH Health Department Services is funded by the Indian Health Services under Title V of the Indian Health Care Improvement Act. The Indian Health Care Improvement Act requires all Clients must meet the eligibility requirements to receive services. The eligibility requirements are clients must be American Indian or Alaska Native and able to provide documentation of Certificate of Indian status
Content courtesy of IHS.gov
New York, NY 10001
Tel: (212) 598-0100
Administrative Hours:
Monday - Friday
9:30 a.m. - 5:30 p.m.
The purpose of the Health Department at the American Indian Community House is to promote a higher quality of health through education, prevention, and cultural awareness for American Indians and Alaskan Natives residing in the five boroughs of New York City and the greater New Jersey area.
Our Programs
The AICH Health Department provides onsite services such as behavioral health, diabetes, food and nutrition, and wellness with a focus on American Indians and Alaskan Natives. The Health Department gives the Native community access to quality health services through partnerships with offsite medical service providers, connecting clients with affordable healthcare options.
Behavioral Health
The American Indian Community House provides supportive and comprehensive case management services for alcohol/substance abuse and mental health. All group healing activities and programs strive to incorporate the traditional values and beliefs of the American Indian community.
The Behavioral Health Program aims to provide a support system for American Indian and Alaskan Native men and women. When need be, Behavioral Health staff provides referrals to culturally sensitive behavioral health professionals and facilities to allow access to necessary care. Behavioral Health staff treat clients in a holistic manner, concentrating not only on the body, but also on the mind and spirit.
Our Focus
Mental Health
- Risky Behaviors
- Sexuality & Gender
- Stress Management
- Anger Management
Alcohol & Substance Abuse
- 12 Step Recovery
- Alcohol/Methamphetamine Abuse
- Addiction Education
- Addiction Treatment Referrals (Residential, sober housing, detox, ect.)
- Case Management Services
- Substance Use / Abuse Preventive Service
- Mental Health Service
- Mental Health Education
- Mental Health Treatment Referrals
Diabetes
The AICH Diabetes Education and Treatment Program helps the Indigenous American community of New York City prevent new cases of type 2 diabetes and in complications where possible through individual and group education and activities. The number of cases of type 2 diabetes and its complications of kidney failure, blindness, neurological damage, stroke, and cardio-vascular disease has been increasing at alarming rates in Indian Country over the last 40 years. AICH is working to reverse that rising number.
How Does Diabetes Affect Native Americans?
Native Americans, including Alaskan natives, and Pacific Islanders are 2.8 times more likely to have diagnosed diabetes than non-Hispanic whites of a similar age. In fact, the rate of type 2 diabetes is higher among Native Americans than in any other racial or ethnic group in the us. The Indian Health Service reports that of 2.3 self-identified American Indians, 70,000 were receiving treatment for diabetes in 1998. Most Natives seeking diabetes treatment have type 2 diabetes, which is largely preventable with life-style changes, such as increasing activity levels and eating a diet that is low in fats and low in starches with a high-glycemic index.
Traditional Foods Can Make a Difference!
Eating the foods below in moderation, instead of fattier meats and more sugary starches or carbohydrates can help you prevent type 2 diabetes:
- Fruits: plums, strawberries, blackberries, currants, and
blueberries - Fish: salmon, bass, catfish, and trout
- Meats: turkey, venison, bison, and other lean meats
- Grains & Breads: wild rice, barley, and wheat
- Vegetables: onions, carrots, squash, corn, leafy greens,
and turnips - Nuts: almonds, pinons, and walnuts
Food & Nutrition
Food is not only essential for survival, it is also a means of adding strength to our minds and bodies. The Indigenous Peoples of the Western Hemisphere contributed many basic foods to the world's modern table. The contributions of traditional grains, such as amaranth, quinoa, and wild rice continue to be some of the healthiest grains available. Lean game meats, bison, and fish from this continent remain as foods high in protein and low in fat that help build muscle with less risk of raising LDL cholesterol than commercially produced beef, for instance.
Wellness
The Wellness Program provides wellness and education services to American Indians and Alaskan Natives and empowers them to make lifestyle changes that will alter the course of their health and lives. Focusing on screening, education, and promotion of healthy lifestyles, the Wellness Program provides on-site case management as well as access to affordable health care services with clinical providers.
- Diabetes Prevention, Education and Referrals
- Medical insurance Referrals
- Referral to Dental Services
- Women's Wellness Education & Referrals
- Cultural / Spiritual Activities
- Senior Activities
- Social Service Referrals (Housing, Public Assistance, etc.)
The Women's Wellness Circle Project
The Women's Wellness Circle Project was created in 1979 to provide American Indian and Alaskan Native women an environment to take pride in their health through support, advocacy, education, and empowerment. By utilizing cultural specific strategies, the project provides a forum that addresses current health barriers that confront native women.
The goal of the Women’s Wellness Program is to help our New York Native Community of women and families become healthier by developing, coordinating, implementing, and disseminating effective health promotion and chronic disease prevention programs through collaboration with NY Health Care Facilities and by building on individual, family, and community strengths.
IHS ELIGIBILITY FOR SERVICES
AICH HEALTH DEPARTMENT POLICY
The AICH Health Department Services is funded by the Indian Health Services under Title V of the Indian Health Care Improvement Act. The Indian Health Care Improvement Act requires all Clients must meet the eligibility requirements to receive services. The eligibility requirements are clients must be American Indian or Alaska Native and able to provide documentation of Certificate of Indian status
Content courtesy of IHS.gov
