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Rosebud Sioux Tribe Diabetes Prevention Program |
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A new generation of wellness in action |
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Diabetes Prevention in Indian Country… A problem?
Diabetes has become a global epidemic according to recent studies conducted by the ADA and the World Diabetes Foundation. The number of individuals diagnosed with the disease has increased dramatically in the past 5 years. In Indian Country, diabetes has been a problem for several decades now and it shows no sign of slowing down. The Indian Health Service Division of Diabetes Treatment and Prevention released an at-a-glance statistics report on Native Americans and Alaska Natives population numbers and the effects of diabetes among them. As of June of 2007, the US American Indian and Alaska Native Population, according to the US census, was 3.3 million in 561 federally recognized American Indian and Alaska Native Tribes. In accordance with this number, 16.3% of adult American Indians have been diagnosed with diabetes and 1,758 American Indian and Alaska native youth under the age of 19 who have the disease as well. In between 1994 and 2004 a 68% increase in diabetes cases on Native American youth ages 15-19 was reported. 95% of American Indians with the disease have type 2 diabetes as opposed to type 1 diabetes and Native Americans have a 2.2 times higher likelihood to have diabetes compared to other races. The challenge with diabetes is the fact that the condition doesn't like to reveal itself with noticeable symptoms. Because there are few, if any symptoms, most people will not bother having screening tests performed. With diabetes, noticeable symptoms like frequent thirst and urination may not occur until the disease has progressed and is already causing considerable damage to your body. Persons with diabetes have a 3 times higher death rate due to diabetes related complication including 3.5 times higher rate of diabetes related kidney failure; 3-4 times higher risk for developing cardiovascular disease; extremely high rates of amputations, fatal infections and blindness. Don't wait too long, Have your blood sugar levels tested regularly. Call your doctor today and make an appointment. The goal on identifying diabetes risk at an early stage is to prevent the onset of the disease, potentially saving your life.
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Rosebud Sioux Tribe Diabetes Prevention Program BIA 9 Solder Creek Road Phone: 605-747-4600 Fax: 605-747-4060 |