Abstract
“Sho-goh-wah-pee-nay” or “sugar disease,” an Oji-Cree word (Native American Indian
terminology), is more commonly known as “diabetes." Over the last 70 years, diabetes
has become an epidemic within Native American Indian tribes. At about 16%, American
Indians and Alaska Natives have the highest occurrence of diabetes in the United States.
There are 566 federally recognized tribes. Drifting genes, obesity, and lower educational
levels are among the well-known causes of disease management in this group. However,
often forgotten are the socio-cultural aspects of this issue. Disease perception,
diet, traditional medicine, poor communication, sedentary lifestyle, poor socio-economic
status are most important obstacles. Various government-funded programs like National
Diabetes Education Program, “We have the power to prevent diabetes” and “Move it!
And reduce your risk of diabetes” and diabetes prevention program are in place. Similar
guidelines should be developed for all the ethnic or tribal groups across the world
before it becomes a pandemic.
Keywords:
American Indian and Alaskan Indian - diabetes - government programs - social and cultural
barriers
