Healthy Roads: Diabetes Prevention Program

Objective: According to the Indian Health Service, 16.3 percent of the AI/AN population have diabetes and 30 percent are diagnosed with prediabetes. AI/AN's have a 2.2 times higher likelihood to have diabetes as compared to non-Hispanic whites and 3 times higher death rate due to diabetes as compared to general US population. According to Los Angeles County Department of Health 2004 report 12.4 percent of American Indian and Alaska Natives (AI/AN) had a diagnosis of diabetes solely in Los Angeles County. United American Indian Involvement's Healthy Roads: Diabetes Prevention Program is providing interventions to reduce the prevalence of diabetes in the AI/AN population of Los Angeles County. Methods: Healthy Roads provided pre-diabetes and diabetes screenings, baseline clinical assessments, 16 weekly intensive diabetes prevention curriculum sessions, and aftercore workshops. Data on attendance, blood pressures, and weights were gathered during each intensive session. Goals for percent weight loss, nutritious food intake and healthy lifestyle changes were set for each participant. Results: Healthy Roads program was able to complete six successful waves over a five year period. Over 50 participants successfully completed the curriculum and met a majority of their goals. A number of participants were able to either sustain their pre-diabetes status or were able to achieve wellness status.