What We Do
We are fighting a diabetes epidemic among American Indian and Alaska Native people. Diabetes is impacting not just adults, but our children as well. Our team is striving to raise awareness while providing methods of prevention and treatments.
Additional Information
Statistics on diabetes among American Indians and Alaska Natives (compared to non-hispanic whites):
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2.3x higher to be diagnosed with diabetes
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Our youth between ages 10-19 are 9x higher to be diagnosed with type 2 diabetes
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There has been a 110% increase in diagnosed diabetes among our children ages 15-19 years old just from 1990-2009
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The death rate due to diabetes is 1.6x higher
- Adults with diabetes have heart disease death rates about 2-4x higher than adults without diabetes AND the risk for stroke is 2-4x higher among people with diabetes
What is being done?
In response to the diabetes epidemic among American Indian and Alaska Native people, Congress established the Special Diabetes Program for Indians (SDPI) which provided funds for diabetes prevention and treatment services; like the SDPI Diabetes Prevention Program and the SDPI Healthy Heart Program.
Through these Programs, communities like ours have been able to develop much needed diabetes programs and increase access to quality diabetes care.
The purpose of these projects was to translate current science on diabetes prevention and cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk reduction to AI/AN communities.
The Healthy Heart Program
This program aims to reduce cardiovascular disease (CVD) in individuals with diabetes.
Cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of death in American Indian and Alaska Native people, especially those with diabetes. High blood pressure, high cholesterol, and smoking are examples of risk factors that increase the chance of developing CVD.
The best approach to combating diabetes is a proactive one!
Contact our staff today, get yourself and your loved ones screened. Talk with our team about changes that you can make today to help prevent this disease.