The Alaska Native diabetes program

To provide optimum health care to indigenous people with diabetes, to prevent diabetes, and to monitor the epidemiology of diabetes and selected complications. The purposes of this paper are to describe the program and to present data that highlights the major problems and successes.

Descriptive epidemiology report of diabetes and population service program based on yearly chart review data.

Almost half of Alaska Natives with diabetes have no direct access to physicians or hospitals. Health care delivery is now managed by the tribes themselves. Program emphases include maintenance of a population-based registry, formal training for village health aides, physical activity programs, patient education, primary prevention activities and adherence to standards of care to prevent complications. A centralized registry is maintained to assure that epidemiological data is available and patients are not lost to follow-up. Each year a random sample of charts at each major facility is audited against nationally standardized care guidelines.

The prevalence of diabetes among Alaska Natives increased 80% over the 13 years from 1985 to 1998 (15.7/1000 to 28.3/1000, age adjusted to U.S. 1980 population). For the years 1986-1998 the incidence rates of lower extremity amputation and end stage renal disease were 6.1/1000 and 2.0/1000 respectively. The level of care provided to Alaska Native patients is comparable to that provided to the general diabetic patient population seen in Alaskan urban clinics.

In spite of logistic challenges, care provided to Alaska Native people with diabetes compares favorably to that provided in other settings. Incidence rates of lower extremity amputation and end stage renal disease also remain comparable to or lower than those in other U.S. populations. Many aspects of our system could be extended to other chronic disease programs serving isolated indigenous populations. Primary prevention of diabetes remains a major challenge as life styles change.