They are paraprofessional health care providers who are completely familiar with the dialects and the unique cultural and social aspects of their people's lives. Deeply involved in promoting health and preventing disease within their own communities, CHRs provide early intervention and case findings that result in patients receiving care earlier in the course of their illnesses. In less serious cases, direct primary care and follow-up services are provided by the CHR in the patients' homes. The CHRs often work long hours and serve their communities on a 24-hour basis. CHRs receive training in basic health skills, health and disease, home nursing, emergency medical services, nutrition, environmental health, and how to educate others about health matters.
Training includes the principles of communication, group organization, and planning.
It is conducted in classrooms and through field experience under the supervision of medical and health professionals. Perhaps more importantly, it is also an invaluable means through which health practitioners and others gain access to tribal communities. Today, more than 1,400 CHRs are serving more than 250 tribes in more than 400 rural communities. In 1988, the Indian Health Care Improvement Act amendments recognized the CHR program as an integral part of the IHS health care delivery system. Dental Program Dental disease is more prevalent among American Indians and Alaska Natives than among the U.S. population as a whole.