Cherokee Nation News Release (918) 456-0671, Ext. 2210 FAX (918)458-5580 Cherokee Nation Director of Communications@cherokee.org © Cherokee Nation - All Rights Reserved November 5, 2004

Cherokee Nation Receives Health Information Grant

TAHLEQUAH, Okla. — Cherokee Nation recently received a $40,000 grant that will provide community members electronic access to valuable healthcare information.

"The Internet has permitted physicians, other health care professionals, patients, and other consumers to quickly access medical information in unprecedented volume," said Sohail Khan, epidemiologist for Cherokee Nation. "Such access has the potential to speed the transformation of the patient-physician relationship from that of physician authority, administering advice and treatment, to that of a shared decision made between the patient and physician."

Khan also stated that the Cherokee Nation has long recognized the value of sharing health information with its citizens and the impact these communications can have on health outcomes.

"Patients who are well-informed usually participate in their healthcare decisions, communicate openly with their health care professionals and make intelligent choices towards their health care," Khan said. "For example, a diabetic patient who is well informed about the treatment and complications of diabetes, will likely adhere to their treatment plan more faithfully which may help make their health care more effective and prevent long-term complications such as loss of sight and limb amputation."

The Cherokee Health Information Network (CHIN) was developed in an effort to provide patients with needed health care information.

"CHIN will consist of a Web site and work stations linked to the Internet at each community center in surrounding Cherokee communities and will give electronic access to quality health information from National Library of Medicine resources," Khan said.

Eight to 16 computer terminals will be placed at community centers throughout the 14-county area. Communities that are tentatively scheduled to receive these services are Bell, Greasy, Marble City, Dry Creek, Rocky Ford, Chewey, Four Corners and South Coffeyville.

The Cherokee Nation was the only recipient in the state of Oklahoma to receive this grant, through the National Library if Medicine, South Central Region. For information about the CHIN project, please contact Sohail Khan at (918) 456-0671, ext. 2602.