About SDPI
In response to the diabetes epidemic among American Indian and Alaska Native (AI/AN) people, Congress established the Special Diabetes Program for Indians (SDPI) in 1997 to provide funds for diabetes prevention and treatment services. Through the SDPI grant program, AI/AN communities have been able to develop much needed diabetes programs and increase access to quality diabetes care.
- SDPI Community-Directed Diabetes Programs – This component of the SDPI provides funds to IHS, Tribal, and Urban Health Programs in all 12 IHS Areas to begin or enhance local diabetes treatment and prevention programs.
- SDPI Diabetes Prevention (DP) and Healthy Heart (HH) Programs – In 2004, Congress approved funding to implement two new demonstration projects. The purpose of these projects was to translate current science on diabetes prevention and cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk reduction to AI/AN communities:
- SDPI DP grant programs implemented a proven lifestyle change intervention designed to reduce risk of diabetes in high risk individuals.
- SDPI HH grant programs used an intensive case management approach to reduce CVD risk in individuals with diabetes.
