Protecting Community Health Across Generations
NPAIHB’s Northwest Tribal Epidemiology Center (NWTEC) works alongside the 43 federally recognized Tribes in Idaho, Oregon, and Washington to monitor and track health and disease trends, build community health profiles and large-scale data sets tailored to Tribal priorities, and provide training and technical assistance to strengthen Tribal research capacity and data collection efforts.
Protecting Tribal data sovereignty is central to this work. Each Tribe holds the inherent right to control their own data, tell their stories, and guide the health of their people.
Contact: nwtec@npaihb.org
NWTEC Programs
What is Tribal Data Sovereignty?
Tribal data sovereignty is Tribal sovereignty. It’s Tribes’ inherent right to control the collection and use of health data. It’s a picture of a Tribe’s history, culture, and people. Protecting this right is central to NWTEC’s work so that Tribes can tell their own stories and advance their own health.


What is a Tribal Epicenter?
Epidemiology is the study of what causes illness and health in communities. Tribal Epidemiology Centers collect and monitor data, identify health priorities, and provide epidemiologic support and disease surveillance in partnership with Tribes, Tribal organizations, and urban Indian organizations. Formed in 1997, NWTEC was one of the first four Tribal Epidemiology Centers and is now one of 12. Since then, NWTEC has provided epidemiology support and administered research at the request of the Northwest Tribes.
Need epidemiological data or technical support?
Submit your request below — our Epi & Surveillance team responds within 5 business days.