Vital Signs: Better Care, Decreased Diabetes-Related Kidney Failure

Vital Signs: Better Care, Decreased Diabetes-Related Kidney Failure

Vital Signs: Decreased Kidney Failure from Diabetes in Native Americans

Native Americans (American Indians and Alaska Natives) are twice as likely as whites to have diabetes. And in about 2 of 3 Native Americans with kidney failure, diabetes is the cause.  In fact, kidney failure from diabetes among Native Americans was the highest of any US racial group until recently. Now it’s declining the fastest—a decrease of 54% from 1996 to 2013.   What’s behind this remarkable progress? According to CDC’s latest Vital Signs report, the decline was accomplished through “… population health and team-based approaches to diabetes and kidney care, a potential model for other populations.” Community outreach, access to health care providers, patient education, and related strategies are helping to turn the tide.   To read the entire Vital Signs report, visit cdc.gov/vitalsigns/aian-diabetes. Vital Signs: Better Care, Decreased Diabetes-Related Kidney Failure