WELCOME

Welcome to the IHS Division of Diabetes Treatment and Prevention website.

Type 2 diabetes has quickly emerged as one of the most serious and devastating health problems of our time. Although the growing diabetes epidemic threatens populations around the world, American Indians and Alaska Natives suffer disproportionately from the highest rates of diabetes in the United States. It is true that we face significant challenges in dealing with the diabetes epidemic, but the belief is strong among American Indian and Alaska Native communities that they are on the path to a diabetes-free future.

We sincerely hope that this website will provide you with information and resources to strengthen your clinical, public health, and community approach to diabetes treatment and prevention.

- Kelly Acton, MD, MPH, Director

HOW TO GET AROUND THE SITE

To access the wealth of information on our newly designed website, use the links on the navigation bar on the left side of this page. These clickable links will lead you to an introductory page for each section of our website. From there, you can navigate further for more information on any given topic.

WHAT'S NEW

Indian Health Diabetes Algorithm Cards  –  The Indian Health Diabetes Algorithm Cards were developed to provide clinicians with a quick reference to medically manage the patient with type 2 diabetes using treatment algorithms based on national guidelines and the IHS Standards of Care for Patients with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus. The cards provide clinicians with the basic information needed at the point of patient care with a quick reference and/or reminder on medication dosing or treatment goals.

Demonstration Projects Videos  –  Learn about what some of the Demonstration Projects are doing and view short videos and slide shows.

Indian Health Summit  –  Celebrating the Tapestry of Health and Wellness: Sharing Wisdom and Showcasing Innovation. The Indian Health Summit will be a national gathering of Indian Health professionals and administrative leadership, community health advocates and activists, and Tribal leadership. Participants will join together to build skills and share ideas and innovations.
July 7-9, 2009
Denver, CO

3rd International Meeting on Indigenous Child Health  –  The target audience for the 3rd International Meeting on Indigenous Child Health includes child health providers, researchers, and others dedicated to working with American Indian, Alaska Native, First Nations, Inuit and Métis children and families. Participants will have the opportunity to share model programs and research, and develop skills and knowledge that can be applied in community settings.
March 6-8, 2009
Albuquerque, NM

Promoting a Healthy Weight in Children and Youth  –  An IHS report that outlines clinical strategies on five childhood obesity prevention and treatment recommendations for health care professionals in Indian Health Service, tribal and urban Indian health clinical settings. The report’s five recommendations are based on the best available clinical evidence regarding the prevention and treatment of childhood overweight.

Web-Based Communication Skills Training  –  A set of video trainings, training handouts, and discussion guides designed to help health care providers and others work more effectively with patients and co-workers. Continuing education credits are available.

Diabetes Education in Tribal Schools (DETS) Curriculum  –  This new curriculum for teachers in grades K–12 is part of a national effort to decrease the incidence and improve the care of type 2 diabetes among American Indians and Alaska Natives. The curriculum was developed through collaboration with the National Institutes of Health, the Centers of Disease Control (CDC), American Indian Tribal Colleges and the Indian Health Service Division of Diabetes.