July 15, 2008
Get to know your Diabetes Program
By Diabetes Prevention & Control Staff
YKHC's Diabetes Prevention and Control Program is funded through the Indian Health Service Special Diabetes Program for Indians (SDPI) grant. This federally funded program allows us to maintain diabetes management and education services for residents of the YK Delta.
The diabetes program staff includes a program coordinator, health practitioner, case manager, three clinical diabetes educators, three outreach coordinators, one health educator, one half-time data entry coordinator, and one half-time secretary. We're currently recruiting a program coordinator, health practitioner, case manager, and outreach coordinator.
We provide a full range of diabetes prevention and control services. Two of our clinical diabetes educators are registered dietitians and one is a registered nurse. They travel to villages to provide diabetes self-management education to patients with type 2 diabetes. We screen patients who are at high risk for developing type 2 diabetes and offer counseling about lifestyle changes necessary to prevent diabetes. Similar services are provided on an outpatient basis at the Bethel hospital.
Outreach coordinators travel to villages and give age-appropriate presentations to children from kindergarten through 12th grade about the importance of eating healthy food and being physically active. The goal of an outreach coordinator is to teach children and adolescents that they have the power to prevent diabetes.
Diabetes educators and outreach coordinators visit Tribal councils, village stores, health fairs, culture camps, and local festivals to speak about preventing diabetes and making healthy lifestyle choices. The program hosts a monthly diabetes support group in Bethel and also a monthly radio show that is heard across the Delta.
Our motto is "Return to Tradition." We encourage residents of the YK Delta to embrace Native foods and traditional ways in an effort to prevent diabetes. We also encourage eating other good foods like fruits, vegetables and whole grains. We want people to combine the best of both worlds into a healthy, wholesome lifestyle that is good for individuals and communities.
If you would like someone from Diabetes Prevention and Control to speak to your group about preventing diabetes or to provide blood glucose screenings, give us a call. We can be reached toll-free at 1-877-543-6133 or locally at 543-6133.
Ask how we can help you prevent diabetes in yourself and in your community.
