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 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. LDL cholesterol is one of the tests, as described below.

What is an LDL cholesterol test?
Low density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol is sometimes called the “bad” cholesterol. When it gets too high, it increases the risk of having a heart attack or a stroke. Blood tests are used to measure your LDL cholesterol.

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

Why are LDL cholesterol levels important?
Patients with diabetes are more likely to develop heart disease; therefore, it is important to test and treat patients with high LDL cholesterol. People who are able to lower their LDL cholesterol by eating healthier, exercising, and taking medications as prescribed may be able to cut their risk of heart attack by half!

What is a good LDL cholesterol number?
A lower number is a better score.

• A number lower than 100 mg/dl shows you have ideal (best) LDL cholesterol control.
• A number equal to or higher than 100 mg/dl shows you have poor LDL cholesterol control.

What is the Transparency Performance Measure?
The Transparency performance measure is the percentage of IHS AI/AN patients with diabetes whose most recent LDL cholesterol test has a number lower than 100 (ideal control).

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