The USET Tribal Epidemiology Center (TEC) was established in 2000. Prior to this, monitoring and surveillance of disease and associated risk factors among AI/AN people residing in the Nashville Area had been exclusively a function of the Indian Health Service (IHS). However, it was recognized that Tribes needed the ability to act in their own self-interest. Thus in 1992, the Indian Health Care Improvement Act established regional Tribal Epidemiology Centers. These Epidemiology Centers are funded by cooperative agreements between the Indian Health Service and federally recognized Tribal Organizations.



Under the current five year cooperative agreement between USET and the IHS Division of Epidemiology and Disease Prevention, the USET Tribal Epidemiology Center is implementing the following seven objectives:

Objective 1: Maintain USET TEC Advisory Council (UTAC) system whereby USET TEC receives guidance from joint AI/AN community members and public health science experts on selecting and accomplishing TEC work activities.
Objective 2: Maintain and enhance Area I/T/U Data Collection Assessment System to address internal data quality and external data linkages.
Objective 3: Maintain and enhance system for producing/disseminating epidemiological reports and catalyzing community health action.
Objective 4: Maintain and enhance capacity to collect and analyze data.
Objective 5: Maintain and enhance system for developing/implementing health promotion/disease prevention (HP/DP) studies/projects in cooperation with other public health entities that have practical application in improving AI/AN health, support IHS Director’s initiatives and performance contract, and help facilitate recommendations for improving I/T/U public health services.
Objective 6: Participate and support systems for sharing, improving, and disseminating aggregate health data at a national level for purposes of advocacy for AI/AN communities, Government Performance and Results Act (GPRA), Healthy People 2010, and other national-level activities.
Objective 7: Maintain and enhance system that helps ensure USET TEC supports and participates in public health emergency preparedness and response activities in collaboration with the IHS Nashville Area Office, IHS Division of Epidemiology and Disease Prevention (DEDP), I/T/Us, Federal/State/Local, and other health authorities.