CDC works in partnership to help Native Americans control diabetes

The Missoula Urban Indian Health Center is participating in offering education, care coordination and patient-navigator services to more than 30 Indian tribes. 
The center is expanding pharmacists' roles in educating and offering preventive measures to treat diabetes in Native Americans. Diabetes affects about 16 percent of American Indians and Alaska Natives, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
The CDC recently reported that community health approaches result in improved diabetes outcomes, such as reducing kidney failure in Native American communities.
The CDC, in partnership with the Indian Health Service (IHS) initiative, is boosting the use of medications and focusing on team-based, population services in diabetes management.
“Our patients made remarkable efforts overcoming huge obstacles and barriers of care to get in for their appointments, to exercise, eat healthfully as their budgets will allow to take their medications as prescribed,” Ann Bullock, director of IHS division of diabetes treatment and prevention, said.