American Indians & Alaska Natives and Diabetes

Diabetes mellitus poses a significant public health challenge for the US. Some 800,000 cases are diagnosed each year, and changing demographic patterns in the US are expected to increase the number of people at risk for diabetes and who eventually develop the disease. Diabetes is a chronic disease that usually manifests as one of two major types. In type 1, which occurs mainly in children and adolescents, the body does not produce insulin, and insulin administration is required to sustain life. In type 2, which usually occurs in adults over 30 years of age, the body's tissues become unable to use its own limited supply of insulin effectively. (US DHHS, 2000).

Adult-onset diabetes also has strong physiologic ties to cardiovascular disease (CVD). The majority of patients with diabetes mellitus die of complications of CVD rather than of causes associated directly with glucose control. (US DHHS, 2003). [ Read more ]

How to access information in this section Click on each heading to view and/or print a Portable Document Format (PDF) file of that sub- section. Please note that each PDF includes this page and the references and resources for this section. Refer to the bulleted list below each heading to view the subheadings contained in that section of the Informatic Sheet. If you do not have Adobe Acrobat Reader, please download a free copy. Please note these PDFs contain hyperlinks that are not clickable. To visit the links, please copy and paste the URL directly into your browser. Please use the Return to Health Topics Grid icon, located in the top right-hand corner of the page to access the other health topics. Download whole section [PDF, 108KB] Incidence and Mortality [PDF, 54KB] Prevalence of Type 2 Diabetes Prevalence Rates in Specific Groups and States Prevalence Rates for Women Mortality Rates from Diabetes Complications [PDF, 40KB] Traditional Health Beliefs and Practices [PDF, 47KB] Religion, Philosophy, and Spirituality Specific Traditional Illness Traditional Healers Specific American Indian and Alaska Native Groups Risk Factors and Challenges [PDF, 41KB] Obesity Gestational Diabetes Hypertension Strengths and Protective Factors [PDF, 45KB] Adaptability Community Strength Connection with the Past Family and Elders Holistic Thinking Identification with Culture Abstinence from Alcohol Leisure Activities Adherence Factors [PDF, 55KB] Communication: Verbal and Nonverbal Communicating with Elders Decision-making Diet Historical Distrust Interpretations of Disease and Disability Diet [PDF, 44KB] Complementary and Alternative Medicine [PDF, 45KB] Navajo Specific Practices Service Interventions [PDF, 41KB] References and Resources [PDF, 38KB]

Diabetes is a major clinical and public health challenge among certain racial and ethnic groups in which both the number of new cases of diabetes and the risk of associated complications are great. Vulnerable and high-risk populations include Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders, elderly persons, and economically disadvantaged persons. Factors that account for this chronic disease epidemic include behavioral elements (e.g., increased fat consumption, decreased physical activity, obesity), demographic changes (aging, increased growth of at-risk populations), genetics, cultural and community traditions, and socioeconomic status. The level of patient knowledge and empowerment has a great impact on the disease burden associated with diabetes. (US DHHS, 2000).

Overweight and Obesity Overweight and obesity are major contributors to many preventable causes of death. On average, higher body weights are associated with higher death rates. Those who are overweight or obese have a substantially higher risk of developing high blood pressure, high cholesterol, type 2 diabetes, heart disease and stroke, gallbladder disease, arthritis, sleep disturbances and breathing problems, and certain types of cancer. (US DHHS, 2000).