HHS Secretary Approves Final Data Access Policies for Tribes and Tribal Epidemiology Centers

On December 6, 2024, the Secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) approved the final HHS data access policies for Tribes and Tribal Epidemiology Centers (TECs)– Tribal Data Access Policy (TDA) and Tribal Epidemiology Center Data Access Policy (TECDA), respectively. The policies are located on HHS’ Tribal Data Homepage along with information on how to request data from each HHS Division, a frequently-asked-questions on Tribal and TEC data access policies, and previous policy drafts. The policies establish HHS-wide data policies and cover the data under the custody and control of HHS which includes data collected from Urban Indian Organizations (UIOs).

Tribal Data Access Policy

The purpose of the TDA Policy is to establish an HHS wide policy for how HHS will provide Tribes with data (both in general and when acting in their capacities as public health agencies), including the scope of data available, the process to obtain data, and the expected timelines for processing Tribal requests for data. It also establishes an HHS-wide expectation for responding to requests from Tribes for data in the custody and control of HHS and its Staff and Operating Divisions (collectively referred to as “Divisions”).

Tribal Epidemiology Center Data Access Policy

The purpose of the TECDA Policy is to establish an HHS-wide policy governing data access for TECs, including the scope of data available, the process to obtain data, and the expected timelines for processing TECs’ requests for data. It establishes an HHS-wide expectation for responding to requests from TECs acting in their capacities as Public Health Authorities (PHAs) for data in the custody and control of HHS and its Staff and Divisions.