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Prevention
Other Resources
Indian Health Council,Inc.
American Diabetes Association
Indian Health Services
NIH Health Information
Through out the history of the United States our people have been fighting a war against diseases. When the pioneers arrived they brought with them unknown diseases. Many of these diseases had devastating effects on the tribes; the most notable was small pox. We are going into the twenty-first century and have a new disease to fight. What is diabetes? Diabetes is a disease that impairs the body's ability to use food. The hormone insulin, which is made in the pancreas, helps the body to change food into energy. In people with diabetes, either the pancreas doesn't make insulin or the body cannot use insulin properly. Without insulin, sugar - the body's main energy source - builds up in the blood. Approximately 90-95% (16 million) of people with diabetes have type 2 diabetes. Although diabetes cannot be cured, it can be treated. With family support, daily care and treatment, you can lead a healthy, active, and fun-filled life.
