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Fact Sheets

IHS Division of Diabetes Treatment and Prevention	print version (PDF - 260 KB)
Leading the Way to a Diabetes-Free Future	updated June 2008

The Indian Health Service (IHS) Division of Diabetes Treatment and Prevention is responsible for developing, documenting, and sustaining clinical and public health efforts to treat and prevent diabetes in American Indians and Alaska Natives.

Mobilizing an extensive diabetes network

Congress established the IHS Division of Diabetes in 1979 to address the growing diabetes epidemic among American Indians and Alaska Natives. Since then, the IHS Division of Diabetes has developed and mobilized an extensive network to conduct diabetes treatment and prevention programs and activities throughout the Indian health system. This network includes: Area Diabetes Consultants in all 12 IHS administrative areas. The Area Diabetes Consultants work closely with the Special Diabetes Program for Indians grant programs, providing training and technical assistance. 19 Model Diabetes Programs, which were established by Congress between 1979 and 1985 to design effective approaches to diabetes clinical care, provide diabetes education, and apply new approaches to diabetes care. 399 Special Diabetes Program for Indians grant programs. Tribal Leaders and community members. Government and non-government organizations. Scientific experts and health care professionals.

For nearly three decades, the IHS Division of Diabetes Treatment and Prevention has served as a leader in the fight against the diabetes epidemic in American Indian and Alaska Native communities—and across the nation.

In partnership with this network, the IHS Division of Diabetes provides services and support in the following areas: Diabetes data collection and analysis. Training, technical support, and research translation. Quality assurance and improvement through the development and dissemination of standards of care, clinical guidelines, best practices, and diabetes self-management education program accreditation. Cultural competence through the development of culturally relevant diabetes education programs and materials. Information systems support through the ongoing enhancement of and training on the IHS Electronic Health Record System, which is the electronic patient and data management system used in many Indian health facilities.

Strong record of accomplishments

The IHS Division of Diabetes has a long history of serving as a benchmark for diabetes clinical and public health excellence. Highlights of the Division’s accomplishments over the last three decades include: 1970s and 1980s Pioneered the use of a combined clinical and public health approach to diabetes treatment and prevention. Developed the IHS Standards of Care for Diabetes in 1986, two years before the American Diabetes Association published its first set of standards of care. Established 19 Model Diabetes Programs throughout the United States to find better ways to treat diabetes in the face of a growing epidemic. 1990s Established the Special Diabetes Program for Indians in 1997 with funds awarded by Congress. Recognized internationally as a model of community involvement and program effectiveness. 2000s Expanded the Special Diabetes Program for Indians with increased funding from Congress, including the development of demonstration projects on diabetes prevention and cardiovascular disease risk reduction. Received approval from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services as a national accreditation organization for American Indian and Alaska Native diabetes education programs. The American Diabetes Association is the only other organization in the United States with this authority. Translated and disseminated the results of the National Institutes of Health-funded Diabetes Prevention Program clinical trial. Published its 20th anniversary edition of the IHS Standards of Care for Diabetes. Developed and disseminated the Indian Health Diabetes Best Practices and clinical guidelines on the care of adults with pre-diabetes. Collaborated with the American Academy of Pediatrics to publish a clinical report on treating and preventing type 2 diabetes in American Indian and Alaska Native children (Pediatrics, October 2003). Submitted three reports to Congress (2000, 2004, and 2007) on the activities and outcomes of the Special Diabetes Program for Indians.

Through the support and collaboration of its extensive diabetes network, the IHS Division of Diabetes Treatment and Prevention is poised to help American Indian and Alaska Native communities achieve a diabetes-free future.