How Diabetes Impacts Native American Indians and Alaska Natives
Compared to the overall U.S. population, American Indians and members of Alaska Native communities are disproportionately affected by diabetes.
Non-American Indian and Alaska Native people with diabetes should be aware of several key facts regarding these communities to foster understanding, empathy, and support for effective diabetes management and prevention efforts.
American Indians and Alaska Native Communities Have the Highest Prevalence of Diabetes
Of all the racial and ethnic groupings in the United States, American Indians and Alaska Native (AI/AN) communities have the highest prevalence of diabetes.
- One in six American Indian and Alaska Native adults has been diagnosed with diabetes
- According to the Indian Health Service (IHS), American Indian and Alaska Native adults are 2.3 times more likely to have been diagnosed with diabetes than non-Hispanic whites.
- In some AI/AN communities, diabetes prevalence among adults is as high as 60%.
- This high prevalence in AI/AN communities is partly attributed to environmental circumstances.
- Socioeconomics also plays a crucial role when it comes to the disproportionately higher incidence of diabetes in AI/AN groups, as many struggle with issues like:
- Unemployment
- Poverty
- More than one-quarter of the AI/AN population lives in poverty—a rate that is more than double that of the general population
- Lack of access to wholesome food and medical services.
Other Statistics About Diabetes Among American Indians and Alaska Natives?
- The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) predict that one in two AI/AN children born in 2000 will have type 2 diabetes in their lifetime.
- AIs/ANs continue to die at higher rates than other Americans in many categories, including:
- Diabetes
- Chronic liver disease and cirrhosis
- Chronic lower respiratory diseases
- Mental-health issues (which is associated with diabetes risk)
- Brought on by the historical trauma and ongoing discrimination against AI/AN communities
- Which can impact mental health and stress levels, which are associated with diabetes risk.
- Brought on by the historical trauma and ongoing discrimination against AI/AN communities
- It is also important to note that AIs/ANs frequently struggle with issues like:
- Cultural barriers
- Geographic isolation, and
- Inadequate sewage disposal
Because of all of this, the AI/AN community is unable to receive high-quality healthcare, which worsens the course of treatment and outcomes for diabetes.
This stark disparity underscores the need for targeted healthcare strategies and increased awareness of cultural and socioeconomic factors that contribute to higher rates of diabetes in these communities.
Who are the American Indians and Alaska Natives?
In 2020, an estimated 3.7 million people identified as AI/AN, accounting for 1.1% of all people living in the United States.
The colonization, forced relocation, and assimilation programs of the US government have presented serious difficulties for both AIs and ANs. These historical events have had lasting impacts on their communities, including loss of:
- Land
- Language, and
- Cultural practices.
Despite these challenges, AI/AN groups are persevering in maintaining and reviving their cultural identities and traditions.
American Indians
American Indians, often referred to as Native Americans, are spread across the United States.
American Indians have historically lived in a wide range of places, from the Eastern Woodlands to the Pacific Northwest, and from the Great Plains to the Southwest deserts.
Despite sharing the trait of being “indigenous,” American Indian tribes—such as the Navajo, Cherokee, and Lakota—have very different cultural practices, spiritual beliefs, and communal structures that are ingrained in their unique histories and environments.
Alaska Natives
Alaska Natives are the indigenous people of Alaska, and they are different from American Indians in the continental United States,
A wide range of cultures and communities, including the Inupiat, Yupik, Aleut—and several discrete Athabascan and Tlingit ethnic groups—are considered to be Alaska Natives.
Why People with Diabetes Should Know About American Indians and Alaska Natives Who Live with Diabetes
The plight of AI/ANs with diabetes should concern non-AI/ANs with diabetes because it underscores the significant influence of social, economic, and environmental factors on health.
Understanding these disparities can foster empathy and a more comprehensive approach to diabetes care and management, emphasizing the importance of addressing factors that influence health outcomes.
Furthermore, aiding AI/AN communities in their battle against diabetes can result in creative, culturally aware methods of diabetes treatment that are advantageous to all people with diabetes.
There are several AI/AN diabetes communities and organizations that people with diabetes can support. These organizations focus on improving diabetes care, education, and prevention in AI/AN communities.
Supporting these groups can contribute to broader efforts to address health disparities and improve outcomes for all individuals with diabetes.
Some notable organizations include:
Special Diabetes Programs for Indians (SDPI)
The 2013 “Special Diabetes Program for Indians Diabetes Prevention Demonstration Project” (SDPI) demonstrated that culturally appropriate lifestyle treatments, such as dietary adjustments and increased physical activity, significantly improved weight and blood-sugar-level outcomes of Native American people with diabetes.
National Indian Health Board (NIHB)
The NIHB advocates for the health needs of AI/AN people and provides resources for diabetes prevention and management. They offer training, technical assistance, and policy advocacy to improve health outcomes in AI/AN communities.
Indian Health Service (IHS) Division of Diabetes Treatment and Prevention (DDTP)
This program is dedicated to addressing the high rates of diabetes among AI/AN communities. The DDTP plays a crucial role in providing comprehensive diabetes care, prevention, education, and support services. Its primary functions and initiatives include:
Tribal Epidemiology Centers (TECs)
TECs work to improve the health and well-being of AI/AN communities by collecting data, conducting research, and providing public-health services. They focus on various health issues, including diabetes, and support tribes in developing effective health programs.
Why People with Diabetes Should Advocate for American Indians and Alaska Native Health Equity
Every person with diabetes benefits from:
- Supporting policies that address AI/AN disparities and
- Advocating for AI/AN health equity.
By doing this, you may contribute to the development of a more equitable and inclusive healthcare system by guaranteeing that everyone has access to the tools they require for successful diabetes management.
Stand in solidarity with the AI/AN community. If you do, people with diabetes can support larger initiatives aimed at battling this illness and enhancing everyone’s health.
This content was made possible by Lilly, an active partner of Beyond Type 2.
Beyond Type 2 maintains editorial control over its content.
