An issue in dire need of attention - climbing rates of Type 2 diabetes amongst Native Americans - has made it to Washington. Experts on diabetes and its impact on Native Americans went to Washington Thursday to basically beg for money to continue with the treatment and prevention programs currently in place.Charles Grim, head of the Indian Health Service, testified yesterday to the Senate Indian Affairs Committee (SIAC) about the disastrous impact diabetes is having in Native American (aka American Indian) and Alaska Native communities. "In some communities, the prevalence rate is as high as 60 percent among adults," said Grim. But the scariest thing is how fast diabetes is spreading amongst younger people. According to the Indian Health Service, diabetes grew by 128 percent amongst teenagers between 1990 and 2004. It also affected many more younger children, but not as badly: the rate of increase for the same period was 77 percent for kids younger than fifteen.
In addition to the testimony of Grim, two North Dakota physicians also spoke at the hearing, urging the SIAC to renew funding for prevention and treatment programs that are currently due to expire next year. Said one of the docs, "We don't want history to repeat itself." The other, Dr. Biron Baker of Bismark, ND, was openly critical of ongoing efforts to stem the spread of diabetes, saying "Administrative ineptitude within the Indian Health Service is a glaring problem."
I guess the answer to the question "Is Congress listening?" is yes. Problem is, those in government who want to help have to come up with money for these programs. Then there are those who take a more cautious approach before they'll approve treatment and prevention programs. People like Wyoming Republican Craig Thomas, who was quoted as saying he wants to see evidence that current programs are effective before throwing his weight behind proposals to improve services. Funny how the money is always available for other pet projects and disastrous wars, but not for stuff like public health programs...
