National Diabetes Month - Diabetes Among American Indians and Alaska Natives

Don’t let diabetes determine the health of our community! Compared to other racial/ethnic groups in the United States, American Indians and Alaska Natives have some of the highest rates of type 2 diabetes. However, there are steps that you can take to prevent type 2 diabetes for yourself and your family, such as:

1. Move more 2. Make healthy food choices 3. Lose some weight 4. Set goals you can meet 5. Record your progress 6. Seek help 7. Keep at it

We have the power to prevent diabetes!

“I know everyone can [prevent diabetes] once they make up their mind. A lot of people out there know it runs in their family and they think ‘Okay, I’m going to get it.’ No, it is not so. You can prevent it. If I can do it, so can you.”

Glenda Thomas Fifer Gila River Indian Community Diabetes Prevention Program Participant

November is Native American Heritage Month. If you have prediabetes, an important thing you can do to honor this month is to sign up for a CDC-recognized lifestyle change program. Learn more by visiting the National Diabetes Prevention Program website. You can also find additional diabetes resources for American Indians and Alaska Natives from the National Diabetes Education Program.