American Diabetes Month — Protecting Native Health Through Knowledge and Action
November is American Diabetes Month, a time to focus attention on prevention, early detection, and better care for diabetes. For American Indian and Alaska Native (AI/AN) communities, diabetes is not only a medical condition — it’s a social and cultural issue shaped by history, access to care, food systems, and community resilience. This article explains the scale of the problem, practical steps families and programs can take, and culturally grounded approaches that work.
The problem — scope and disparities
Type 2 diabetes disproportionately affects AI/AN adults. National data show that AI/AN adults have the highest prevalence of diagnosed diabetes among U.S. racial/ethnic groups — around 13.6%, compared with 6.9% among non-Hispanic White adults. This higher burden also drives more complications (vision loss, lower-limb amputations, kidney disease) and greater use of emergency/hospital services. CDC+1
Why rates are higher
Multiple factors combine:
Historical trauma, forced diet changes, and displacement reduced access to traditional foods and healthy lifestyles.
Higher rates of food insecurity and limited access to fresh, affordable produce in some communities.
Structural barriers to health care — underfunded IHS services, lack of culturally concordant providers, and insurance gaps.
These social determinants accelerate risk for type 2 diabetes and its complications. CDC+1
A real-life snapshot
A grandmother in an urban Native community delayed care because she couldn’t take time off work and feared judgment. When she finally connected with a community health worker who spoke her language and respected traditional foods, she learned small, manageable changes — measuring portion sizes of soda, adding beans and seasonal vegetables, and checking blood sugar at home. Within months her A1c improved, and she became an active member of a community walking group that doubled as a cultural circle.
What individuals and families can do (practical steps)
Get screened early and regularly. If you have a family history, are overweight, or have high blood pressure, ask your provider for fasting glucose or A1c testing. Family history is a major risk marker. CDC
Small food changes, big effects. Reintroduce traditional foods (corn, beans, squash, fish, berries) and reduce sugary beverages. Replace one soda per day with water or herbal tea.
Move often. Aim for daily movement — walking, dancing, community gardening, or traditional dance — 30 minutes a day is a powerful preventive step.
Know your numbers. Blood pressure, weight, and A1c guide action. Keep a simple health notebook or phone record.
Medication adherence & foot care. For diagnosed diabetes, take medicines as prescribed, check feet daily, and get annual eye exams to prevent complications. CDC
Takeaway
Diabetes in Native communities is urgent but addressable. Screening, modest lifestyle changes, access to culturally competent care, and community-led programs together reduce risk and preserve elders’ health and cultural leadership. Use American Diabetes Month to start conversations, screen family members, and reconnect to food and movement traditions. CDC+1
