Health Condition: Diabetes
Diabetes affects many American Indians and Alaska Natives (AI/AN). In fact, between 1997-2003, the number of AI/AN patients who have diabetes and receive their health care from IHS increased by 41%. The increasing cost of health care combined with more patients having diabetes represent ongoing challenges for IHS.

Between the years of 2002-2004, the rate of death from diabetes in the AI/AN population was almost 3 times the rate in all other races.

Patients who have diabetes also are more likely to have cardiovascular disease (CVD), which is a disease that affects your heart and blood vessels. CVD, or heart disease, is the number one cause of death for AI/AN patients. Therefore, it is very important for patients who have diabetes to take care of themselves and to ensure they are getting the tests they need to see how well their diabetes is being controlled. Hemoglobin A1c (blood sugar) is one of the tests, as described below.

What is a Hemoglobin A1c test?
Hemoglobin A1c measures your blood sugar control over a 3 month period.

Who should get this test?
It is important for people with diabetes to have this test done once a year or more.

Why are blood sugar levels important?
Blood sugar levels show if your diabetes is controlled. Controlling your blood sugar makes you feel better. This can reduce your chances of going blind, losing feeling in your legs and getting amputations. It also reduces your chances of getting kidney disease, going on dialysis, and having a heart attack or stroke.

What is a good Hemoglobin A1c number?
A lower number is a better score.

• A number lower than 7% shows you have ideal (best) blood sugar control.
• A number higher than 9% shows you have poor blood sugar control.

What is the Transparency Performance Measure?
The percentage of IHS AI/AN patients with diabetes whose most recent hemoglobin A1c (blood sugar) test had a result higher than 9% or the A1c test did not have a result, or they did not have an A1c test. This measure shows how many patients with diabetes do NOT have good control of their blood sugar.

How is IHS doing?
To see how IHS is performing on this measure, click here.