Native Americans and Diabetes

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Great Spirit,
We thank you for your blessings that have provided the healthy foods to nourish our bodies. May we learn to appreciate and not take for granted all that we know to make us healthier. May we be open to accept change that will benefit not only ourselves, but also our children as well.

- Georgia Perez
  Nambe Pueblo, NM

It is important for us to choose a healthy pathway. Our young people look up to us and will follow in our paths. If you are at risk for developing diabetes, you may be able to prevent or delay it. By making healthy food choices and being physically active almost everyday (such as walking), you will create a healthy lifestyle pathway for generations to follow.

Ask your senators and representatives in Congress to extend the Special Diabetes Program for 5 years and to increase the funding from $150 million to $200 million each year for both the type 1 and type 2 funding. Become an Advocate today

The American Diabetes Association's Native American Initiative

• Awakening the Spirit:  Pathways to Diabetes Prevention & Control
  Learn about the Association's community-based efforts for Native Americans.
  
  
• Reauthorization of Special Diabetes Program for Indians (SDPI)
  The Association is urging Congress to re-authorize both these successful programs set to expire
  
  
• Diabetes and Native Americans Flier  (PDF)
  This flier outlines how the American Diabetes Association is working to improve the lives of Native Americans affected by diabetes.
  
  
• Community Spotlight
  Learn how the Native American community is involved in the fight against diabetes.
  
  
• Meet the Awakening the Spirit Team 
  Meet the volunteers that help with the American Diabetes Association's outreach efforts to Native Americans.
  

Learn the Facts about Diabetes

The complications of diabetes can be prevented or delayed with proper care and monitoring of your glucose levels along with a combination of diet, excercise, and medication. Our resources below offer information to help manage your diabetes and lead healthier lives today.

Diabetes Risk Test
23.6 million children and adults in the US have diabetes -- one in four does not know it! Take our diabetes risk test to see if you are at risk for developing diabetes.

Pre-diabetes
What is it? There are 57 million people in the US who have pre-diabetes.

MyFoodAdvisor™
Help! What should I eat? Find recipes, receive healthier alternatives, analyze what you currently eat, and compare foods for 22 different nutrients at MyFoodAdvisor.

Make the Link
Learn about the link between diabetes and heart disease with "Type 2 Lou" and our Link for Life animation.

Nutrition and Exercise

If you are living with diabetes, it doesn't mean that you can't eat your favorite foods, or that you need to spend hours and hours at the gym to look and feel better. Visit our Diabetes Learning Center to find ways to eat healthy, exercise, and learn more type 2 diabetes.

• Recipe of the Day
  Get delicious, yet healthy recipes daily.
  
  
• Virtual Grocery Store
  Visit and find healthy food choices, recipes, meal planning and more.

Resources/Links
This section contains additional resources from other organizations that provide information about diabetes awareness and overall improvement in Native American health.