25 U.S.C. § 1621m — Epidemiology centers

(a) Establishment of centers (1) In general The Secretary^* must establish an epidemiology center in each Service area^* to carry out the functions described in subsection (b). (2) New centers (A) In general Subject to subparagraph (B), any new center established after March 23, 2010 , may be operated under a grant authorized by subsection (d). (B) Requirement Funding provided in a grant described in subparagraph (A) must not be divisible. (3) Funds not divisible An epidemiology center established under this subsection must be subject to the Indian Self-Determination and Education Assistance Act ( 25 U.S.C. 450 et seq.), 1 but the funds for the center must not be divisible. (b) Functions of centers In consultation with and on the request of Indian tribes, tribal organizations, and urban Indian^* organizations, each Service^* area epidemiology center established under this section must, for the applicable Service area— (1) collect data relating to, and monitor progress made toward meeting, each of the health status objectives of the Service, the Indian tribes, tribal organizations, and urban Indian organizations in the Service area; (2) evaluate existing delivery systems, data systems, and other systems that impact the improvement of Indian health; (3) assist Indian tribes, tribal organizations, and urban Indian organizations in identifying highest-priority health status objectives and the services needed to achieve those objectives, based on epidemiological data; (4) make recommendations for the targeting of services needed by the populations served; (5) make recommendations to improve health care delivery systems for Indians and urban Indians; (6) provide requested technical assistance to Indian tribes, tribal organizations, and urban Indian organizations in the development of local health service priorities and incidence and prevalence rates of disease and other illness in the community; and (7) provide disease surveillance and assist Indian tribes, tribal organizations, and urban Indian communities to promote public health. (c) Technical assistance The Director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention must provide technical assistance to the centers in carrying out this section. (d) Grants for studies (1) In general The Secretary may give grants to Indian tribes, tribal organizations, Indian organizations, and eligible intertribal consortia to conduct epidemiological studies of Indian communities. (2) Eligible intertribal consortia An intertribal consortium or Indian organization must be eligible to receive a grant under this subsection if the intertribal consortium is— (A) incorporated for the primary purpose of improving Indian health; and (B) representative of the Indian tribes or urban Indian communities residing in the area in which the intertribal consortium is located. (3) Applications An application for a grant under this subsection must be submitted in such manner and at such time as the Secretary must prescribe. (4) Requirements An applicant for a grant under this subsection must— (A) demonstrate the technical, administrative, and financial expertise necessary to carry out the functions described in paragraph (5); (B) consult and cooperate with providers of related health and social services in order to avoid duplication of existing services; and (C) demonstrate cooperation from Indian tribes or urban Indian organizations in the area to be served. (5) Use of funds A grant provided under paragraph (1) may be used— (A) to carry out the functions described in subsection (b); (B) to provide information to, and consult with, tribal leaders, urban Indian community leaders, and related health staff regarding health care and health service management issues; and (C) in collaboration with Indian tribes, tribal organizations, and urban Indian organizations, to provide to the Service information regarding ways to improve the health status of Indians. (e) Access to information (1) In general An epidemiology center operated by a grantee under a grant awarded under subsection (d) must be treated as a public health authority (as defined in section 164.501 of title 45, Code of Federal Regulations (or a successor regulation)) for purposes of the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996 ( Public Law 104–191 ; 110 Stat. 1936 ). (2) Access to information The Secretary must grant to each epidemiology center described in paragraph (1) access to use of the data, data sets, monitoring systems, delivery systems, and other protected health information in the possession of the Secretary. (3) Requirement The activities of an epidemiology center described in paragraph (1) must be for the purposes of research and for preventing and controlling disease, injury, or disability (as those activities are described in section 164.512 of title 45, Code of Federal Regulations (or a successor regulation)), for purposes of the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996 ( Public Law 104–191 ; 110 Stat. 1936 ).