The Indian Health Service (IHS) provides federal healthcare that his specific to the American Indian/Alaska Native (AI/AN) population. Because the vast majority of AI/ANs do not belong to federally recognized tribes and other factors limiting the accessibility of IHS services, a better understanding of how AI/ANs obtain healthcare outside the IHS is needed.

This brief provides information about the IHS (including issues with access to IHS care), explores the ways in which AI/ANs obtain healthcare outside the IHS, examines the representation of AI/AN people in the healthcare workforce, and identifies strategies for meeting the care needs of the AI/AN population.