Diabetes affects individuals, families, and communities

Facts

• 110,814 or 14.9% of American Indians and Alaska Natives aged 20 years or older and receiving care from IHS have diabetes. (CDC)
• At the regional level, diabetes is least common among Alaska Natives (8.2%) and most common among American Indians in the southeastern United States (27.8%) and southern Arizona (27.8%). (CDC)
• On average, American Indians and Alaska Natives are 2.3 times more likely to have diabetes as non-Hispanic whites of similar age. (CDC)
• American Indians with impaired glucose tolerance have a higher incidence of diabetes than those whose glucose tolerance test results are in the normal range (Knowler WC, Saad MF, et. al 1993)
• About 20% of AI/AN adults have high blood pressure and over a quarter of AI/ANs living in 3 geographic regions have high blood cholesterol, both health problems lead to diabetes complications. (AHA)
• Diabetes among American Indian youth (ages 15-19) has increased 106% between 1990 and 2001. (IHS)

A series of focus groups was conducted by the Association of American Indian Physicians (AAIP), in which tribal leaders, Indian health professionals, and American Indian community members expressed a strong preference for diabetes education materials relevant to their specific tribe or culture. In response, the Community Partnership Supplement was developed to provide examples of activities, ideas, and tips to help your community take action toward controlling diabetes.

National Diabetes Education Program (NDEP)    http://ndep.nih.gov
NIDDK, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD

A Joint Initiative of the National Institutes of Health and the
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention