Urban Indian Health Institute

In 2003, nearly 100,000 American Indians and Alaska Natives age 20 years or older who received care from the Indian Health Service (IHS) had been diagnosed with diabetes. If left untreated, diabetes can lead to serious complications including heart disease, blindness, and kidney failure. But, the onset of diabetes can be prevented or delayed through a few, small lifestyle changes.
April is National Minority Health Month, which aims to eliminate health disparities and improve the health status of minority populations. The National Diabetes Education Program (NDEP) offers copyright free resources specifically tailored to American Indians and Alaska Natives, such as the We Have the Power to Prevent Diabetes tip sheet to encourage them to reduce their risk for the disease.

NDEP encourages you to help promote diabetes prevention to American Indians and Alaska Natives by placing the We Have the Power to Prevent Diabetes tip sheet on your website or use it to write a story. Download Power to Prevent or contact Darise Deal at (202) 842-3600 x 229 or ddeal@hagersharp.com for more information.