The 131st Annual Meeting (November 15-19, 2003) of APHA

Abstract #61644

Betty A. Geishirt Cantrell, MSSW, MBA, Center for American Indian Research & Education, University of Minnesota, 1918 University Avenue, Suite 3-A, Berkeley, CA 94704, 510-843-8661, geish001@umn.edu, Felicia S. Hodge, DrPH, Center for American Indian Research and Education, University of Minnesota, 6-125B Weaver-Densford Hall, 308 Harvard Street, Minneapolis, MN 55455, Roxanne Struthers, PhD, RN, School of Nursing, University Of Minnesota, 6-113 Weaver-Densford Hall, 308 Harvard Street, Minneapolis, MN 55455, and Lorelei H. DeCora, RN-C, Native American Diabetes Project, Seva Foundation, Inc., PO Box 225, Winnebago, NE 68071.

Diabetes is a major concern among American Indians with a mortality rate triple that of the U.S. All Races. Behavioral risk factors associated with diabetes also present as risks for cardiovascular disease and cancer. A community-based health care model for American Indians was designed, implemented, and evaluated as a culturally appropriate approach toward Type 2 diabetes prevention and control. Data indicates an extremely high smoking rate of 57.8%. This rate is higher than the national smoking rate of 40% among American Indians – the highest of any ethnic group, versus 24.1% for U.S. general population. The younger the age cohort, the higher the smoking rate. This presentation will discuss the project and examine the demographics and other factors related to smoking and diabetes with this Native population. Smoking is particularly dangerous for people with diabetes. This population is placed at extreme risk for lung cancer since smoking accounts for 80% of lung cancer cases – the major site for cancer deaths among American Indians. Cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of death among Indians – with smoking as a major risk factor. The multiplicity of health concerns for American Indian diabetics who smoke points to a need for culturally appropriate tobacco prevention and control programming – specifically aimed at young people.

Learning Objectives:

• At the end of the presentation, participants will be able to describe the high rates of smoking and other high-risk behaviors found among Northern Plains Indians. Participants will also be able to describe components of a successful diabetes prevention and treatment compliance intervention.

Keywords: American Indians, Diabetes

Presenting author's disclosure statement:
Organization/institution whose products or services will be discussed: University of Minnesota
I have a significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.
Relationship: Employed by the University of Minnesota