Good Health and Wellness in Indian Country (GHWIC) Mission

GHWIC continues to support healthy behaviors for American Indians/Alaska Natives and emphasize strategies to reduce risk factors in Native communities to attain long-term goals by:

• Supporting a coordinated and holistic approach to healthy living and chronic disease prevention
• Reinforcing the work already underway in Indian Country to make healthy choices easier for American Indians and Alaska Natives
• Continuing to support culturally appropriate, effective public health approaches

Why GHWIC?

American Indian and Alaska Native (AI/AN) communities have innate strengths and resilience rooted in tribal culture and traditional ways of life. However, AI/AN culture and traditions have been severely disrupted by colonialism, loss of land, and policies, such as assimilation, relocation, and tribal termination, resulting in historical trauma that contributes to higher rates of chronic disease and underlying risk factors, such as obesity and commercial tobacco use.

GHWIC Long-Term Goals

• Reduce type 2 diabetes
• Reduce commercial tobacco use
• Reduce high blood pressure
• Reduce high blood cholesterol
• Increase the intake of healthy foods
• Increase physical activity
• Increase breastfeeding