​Diabetes Awareness Program

​The mission of the Kaw Nation Diabetes Program is to assist patients and families impacted by the physical, emotional and spiritual pain of diabetes through prevention and self-management of the disease.

​About our SDPI Grant Funding

The Special Diabetes Program for Indians (SDPI) Community-Directed Diabetes Programs for American Indian and Alaska Native communities:
  • Provides grants to 338 IHS, Tribal and Urban Indian health programs in 35 states to implement diabetes treatment and prevention services and programs.
  • Focuses on effective evidence-based intervention strategies using the Indian Health Diabetes Best Practices [see below].
  • Uses a broad, community-based public health approach to diabetes treatment and prevention for American Indians and Alaska Natives.
  • Identifies and develops services and activities that address their own specific local concerns and needs.
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​The IHS Division of Diabetes of Diabetes Treatment and Prevention IHS Division of Diabetes administers these funds with guidance from the Tribal Leaders Diabetes Committee.

​A Community-Directed Diabetes Program

The Community-Directed diabetes funding has helped to create diabetes treatment and prevention programs where none existed before and to enhance programs that were already in place. Quality diabetes care practices, guided by the IHS Standards of Care for People with Diabetes and Indian Health Diabetes Best Practices [see below], now are commonplace in American Indian and Alaska Native communities and health care facilities. This care ultimately has led to better health outcomes. For example, key health indicators  including blood sugar control, cholesterol levels, and kidney function  have improved among American Indians and Alaska Natives with diabetes since the Community-Directed Diabetes Program began.
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Although these improvements in diabetes outcomes are encouraging, the continued growth of the diabetes epidemic and increasing prevalence of other chronic conditions still require ongoing intervention. Through effective resource allocation, access to new medications and technology, and strong partnerships, the Community-Directed Diabetes Programs will continue leading the effort to spread quality diabetes treatment and prevention practices to Indian health programs throughout the United States.
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Indian Health Diabetes Best Practices

The Indian Health Diabetes Best Practices are consensus-based approaches, developed by Indian health system professionals, that anyone in clinical and community settings can use to implement or improve diabetes treatment and prevention. These Indian Health Diabetes Best Practices:
  • Cover 20 topics in diabetes treatment and prevention, including adult weight management, breastfeeding, cardiovascular disease, chronic kidney disease, nutrition and physical activity, diabetes in youth and a new Best Practice for 2011, Diabetes Prevention.
  • Are based on findings from the latest scientific research, outcomes studies and successful experiences of diabetes programs.
  • Provide IHS, Tribal, and Urban Indian health care programs with relevant, evidence-based information on caring for American Indians and Alaska Natives with diabetes or at risk of developing diabetes.
  • Can help diabetes care teams assess what works and what does not work.
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