programs : sdpi : e-updates : volume 3, issue 2 : main page

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Kelly Acton, MD, MPH, FACP Director, IHS Division of Diabetes Treatment and Prevention Welcome to the 9th edition of the SDPI e-Update! The SDPI is truly in the forefront of reversing current trends in diabetes prevention and treatment, but we have our work cut out for us. The latest news on childhood obesity reported in the Archives of Pediatric & Adolescent Medicine in April showed an alarmingly high rate of obesity in American children, and a huge disparity among American Indians. Whereas 1 in 5 American 4-year-olds are obese, more than 3 out of 10 American Indian children in this age group had a Body Mass Index (BMI) of 18, putting them in the 95th percentile or higher on growth charts. SDPI grantees have placed a strong emphasis on primary prevention in children and youth, with 83 percent having such programs in place. The vast majority offer nutrition education services to youth (98 percent) and 72 percent offer physical activity services to youth. The latest statistics show the need to continue to prevent the onset of overweight and obesity in AI/AN communities. Let’s put to work the IHS Clinical Strategies on Promoting a Healthy Weight in Children and Youth to ensure the health of future generations. On the positive side, the Research Round-Up and Success Stories in this issue of the SDPI e-Update focus on the effectiveness of personal counseling in changing lifestyle behaviors and reducing risk for diabetes and cardiovascular disease. Our dedicated and hard-working SDPI lifestyle coaches and case managers play a crucial role in helping program participants improve their health. Where would SDPI be without the people who work so hard to make the program possible? Meet Cecelia (Sea) J. Shorty from our staff at the Division of Diabetes Treatment and Prevention, and Carleton Albert, a member of the Tribal Leaders Diabetes Committee who is truly a role model for diabetes prevention. Finally, please check out the calendar of upcoming events, especially the Indian Health Summit in Denver, July 7-9, and the health program awards competitions you should consider applying for to earn more recognition for your program. Wishing you continued success.	Main Page Diabetes Research Round-Up SDPI Success Stories Empowering Clinicians to Deliver Quality Diabetes Care Spotlight on: Carleton Albert, Sr. Meet the Staff: Cecelia Shorty Upcoming Events Awards Information Feedback
Heart-Healthy, Reduced-Calorie Diets Combined with Counseling Promote Long-term Weight Loss Heart-healthy diets that reduce calorie intake — regardless of differing amounts of fat, protein, or carbohydrate — can help overweight and obese adults achieve and maintain weight loss, according to a study reported in the February 26, 2009 issue of the New England Journal of Medicine. Researchers from the “Preventing Overweight Using Novel Dietary Strategies” (POUNDS LOST) study found similar weight loss after 6 months and after 2 years among participants assigned to four diets that differed in their proportions of the three major nutrients. more... The IHS Clinical Guidelines address the unique aspects of care for American Indians and Alaska Natives. They enable health care professionals and other members of diabetes care teams to offer consistent, quality care to American Indians and Alaska Natives with diabetes and those at risk for developing diabetes. The guidelines were developed using a consensus process that involved health care professionals and scientific experts within and outside the IHS. The IHS Division of Diabetes updates the clinical guidelines every few years to keep them current with the ever-changing field of diabetes care. The Indian Health Diabetes Best Practices are consensus-based approaches, developed by Indian health system professionals, that anyone in clinical and community settings can use to implement or improve diabetes treatment and prevention. These Indian Health Diabetes Best Practices cover 18 topics in diabetes treatment and prevention, including: adult weight management, breastfeeding, cardiovascular disease, chronic kidney disease, nutrition and physical activity, diabetes in youth, and many more. more...
In this issue of the SDPI e-Update, we feature lessons learned from lifestyle coaching and case management at two SDPI Demonstration Projects. These two stories share the same theme: Success is all about building relationships and trust, focusing on participants’ needs, and providing support. We hope you can apply these lessons learned in your program. Healthy Ham Helps Prevent Diabetes: An Interview with Bob Dunas Lifestyle Coach/Health Educator Cow Creek Band of Umpqua Tribe of Indians Making Happy Hearts Healthy By Leslie Stepp, RN, CDE Project Coordinator Choctaw Nation Diabetes Wellness Center Talihina, OK more... Recently a young woman came up to Carleton Albert, Sr., shook his hand and said, “I will always remember you, and what you did for me.” Carleton knew who she was but had forgotten one incident: He had met her when she was 10 years old. Carleton was a coach and was taking a group of youth to a track meet in Albuquerque. The girl thought she couldn’t go because she didn’t have a sleeping bag. Carleton didn’t hesitate and said, “We’ll find you a sleeping bag.” more...
Cecelia (known as Sea) Shorty started her Indian Health Service career as a clerk typist in Employee Relations with the Phoenix Area Indian Health Service in 1985. Since then, she has held various positions, evolving to her current job as a Program Specialist with the Division of Diabetes Treatment and Prevention (DDTP). At DDTP, Sea works with the Integrated Diabetes Education Recognition Program (IDERP), a vital program that was created in 2000 at the same time she joined the Division. “The IDERP digs deeply into Native American communities, showcasing the tireless efforts of those dedicated to helping people make changes to manage their diabetes,” says Sea. What are those changes? “They include the seemingly small steps of children who choose a piece of fruit over a bag of chips,” explains Sea. “Or the parent who comes home after a long day at work and chooses to take a walk with the family. They are the steps being taken by people who carve out time to listen and to act because they care.” more... SDPI “Voices for Change” Awards Program - Recognition Awards You are cordially invited to submit nominations for the first annual "Voices for Change" award. The Awakening the Spirit Team of the American Diabetes Association is celebrating the successes of the Special Diabetes Program for Indians (SDPI) grantees who have provided diabetes prevention and treatment services in American Indian and Alaskan Native communities. All award applications must be submitted by May 1, 2009. more... 2009 Health Summit Awards Call for nominations for the 2009 Health Summit Awards, to be presented during the 2009 Health Summit, July 7-9, 2009 in Denver, Colorado. These awards offer the opportunity to recognize those in the Indian Health System who are making a difference to American Indians/Alaska Natives in promoting health, and preventing or minimizing the effects of disease. All awards are open to employees of the Indian Health Service, Tribal Health Programs, Urban Health Programs, and our community partners. Nominations will close on May 8, 2009. more...
2008 Indian Health Service National Director's Awards Ceremony Washington, DC May 7, 2009 Click here for more information. Indian Health Summit Denver, CO July 7-9, 2009 Click here for more information. SDPI Demonstration Projects, Year 5, Meeting 1 Denver, CO July 27-29, 2009 Send Us Your Feedback and Your Success Stories The SDPI e-Update is designed to help you succeed in your work in diabetes treatment and prevention. We want to hear from you. Please let us know what you like – or don’t like – about the e-Update and what information you want us to include. Also, please share your ideas and success stories with us and we will share them with our readers. Email diabetesprogram@ihs.gov with your suggestions.