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resources : fact sheets : sdpi–improving diabetes health outcomes : improvements in blood sugar control

Fact Sheets

Special Diabetes Program for Indians: Improving Diabetes Health Outcomes print version print version
(PDF - 300 KB)
Improvements in Blood Sugar Control updated June 2008

Blood sugar control in American Indians and Alaska Natives with diabetes has steadily improved since the inception of the Special Diabetes Program for Indians in 1997.
  • Blood sugar control has improved among American Indians and Alaska Natives with diabetes every year from 1996 to 2006.
  • The mean blood sugar level (A1C) in American Indians and Alaska Natives with diabetes decreased 13% from 9.00% in 1996 to 7.85% in 2006. (A1C is a measure of long-term blood sugar control.)
  • This decrease in A1C is a major achievement over 10 years. An A1C value of less than 7% is the goal for good blood sugar control in people with diabetes.
Mean A1C levels continue to improve (decrease). Source: Indian Health Service Diabetes Care and Outcomes Audit
Why is this important?
  • Keeping blood sugar levels as close to normal as possible can help prevent or delay diabetes-related complications, such as heart disease, stroke, blindness, amputations, and kidney disease.
  • Every one-unit decrease in A1C (such as from 8% to 7%) translates to a 40% reduction in diabetes-related complications, such as blindness, kidney failure, and amputations.
  • Aggressive blood sugar control reduces the risk of any cardiovascular disease event by 42%, and reduces the risk of heart attack, stroke, or death from cardiovascular disease by 57%.

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