Health Topic: Diabetes
Diabetes affects many American Indians and Alaska Natives (AI/AN). In fact, between 1997 and 2003, the number of AI/AN patients who have diabetes and get their health care from IHS increased by 41%. The high costs of health care along with more patients getting diabetes represent a challenge for IHS.

Between the years of 2002 and 2004, the number of deaths from diabetes in the AI/AN population was almost 3 times higher than all other races.

Patients who have diabetes also are more likely to have heart disease (Cardiovascular Disease), which affects the heart and blood vessels. Heart disease is the number one cause of death for AI/AN patients. It is very important for patients who have diabetes to take care of themselves. You can do this by getting the tests you need. The tests will show how well diabetes is being controlled.

What is the GPRA measure?
This measure is not an official GPRA measure but is reported annually to OMB and Congress it is the percentage of IHS American Indian/Alaska Native (AI/AN) patients who have been diagnosed with diabetes.

How is IHS doing?
IHS has not established a long-term goal for this measure. The percentage of IHS AI/AN patients ever diagnosed with diabetes has increased from 8% in 2002 to 13.4% in 2012.

View a table of this chart's data.

To see how IHS is doing on this measure at the Area (regional) levels, click here.