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Policy, Systems, and Environmental Change

Policy, Systems, and Environmental (PSE) change is a framework for creating positive, sustainable community health outcomes and supports culturally-specific health priorities. PSE change relates to a universal Indigenous worldview by examining how different policies, systems and environments contribute to vibrant Native communities throughout history.

What impacts our health?

What impacts our health?

Prevention of many cancers is achievable through the practice of healthy lifestyle choices — avoiding commercial tobacco, drinking alcohol in moderation or not at all, maintaining a healthy body weight and exercising regularly. However, behavioral change is not the only factor to consider on this healing journey. The places we live can be determinants of how we learn, work, exercise, and eat; influences within our environments are what determine if a person, family or community is healthy. Policy, Systems, and Environmental (PSE) change strategies present solutions to achieve positive health outcomes in Indian Country.

Culture is Prevention

Culture is prevention: we have the solutions to eliminate cancer

Policy, Systems, and Environmental (PSE) change is a framework for creating positive, sustainable community health outcomes and supports culturally-specific health priorities. PSE change relates to a universal Indigenous worldview by examining how different policies, systems and environments contribute to vibrant Native communities throughout history.

Policy can be thought of as the guiding principles for ways of living, like respecting elders, never taking more than needed, and respect for all living things.

Systems are the building blocks of a community that allow it to function as a whole and ensure its well being - our families, clans, food, medicines, and government systems.

Environment is both the natural and built world that surrounds us and the way we physically interact with it. This includes activities like planting gardens, fertilizing the ground, or harvesting food and seasonal practices for survival.

AICAF provides technical assistance and support to communities and Native organizations in developing PSE change to promote health equity, cancer prevention, and healthy norms in Indian Country. Our team focuses on tobacco, healthy eating, and physical activity, working in partnership with Native communities and organizations to engage, empower, and educate communities for action and innovation.

The framework we utilize is based on a Health in All Policies approach (HiAP). Prevention & Policy staff have been authentically engaging several tribes and organizations to identify community readiness and action for tribal PSE initiatives through all phases from development, enactment, and into governance and enforcement.

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