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Special Diabetes Program for Indians

Latest SDPI News:

Please see the below message regarding an upcoming conference call to discuss
SDPI reauthorization:

Securing a multi-year renewal for the Special Diabetes Program for Indians
(SDPI) has been a top priority for the National Indian Health Board (NIHB) and
the Tribal Leaders Diabetes Committee this year. We need your help now to let
Congress know the importance of this program and the urgency in securing a
renewal this year!

NIHB is hosting a conference call to provide 1) an update on the reauthorization
effort and 2) information about the SDP National Call-In Days on Nov. 17 and 18.

SDPI Conference Call
This Friday, Nov. 12th at 1:30 pm ET
Call in number: 1-866-303-3137
Passcode: 414526

Jennifer Cooper
Legislative Director
National Indian Health Board
926 Pennsylvania Avenue SE
Washington, DC 20003


During the past 50 years, type 2 diabetes has become a major public health issue in many AI/AN communities, and it is increasingly recognized that AI/AN populations have a disproportionate burden of diabetes (Ghodes, 1995).  In 2006, 16.1% of AI/ANs aged 20 years or older had diagnosed diabetes (unpublished IHS Diabetes Program Statistics, 2006) compared to 7.8% for the non-Hispanic white population (CDC, 2007). In addition, AI/AN people have higher rates of diabetes-related morbidity and mortality than in the general U.S. population (Carter, 1996; Harris, 1995; Gilliland, 1997).  Strategies to address the prevention and treatment of diabetes in AI/AN communities are urgently needed. Under the Balanced Budget Act of 1997, Congress authorized the IHS to administer the SDPI grant program. SDPI grants are programmatically directed by the IHS Division of Diabetes Treatment and Prevention (DDTP).

As the only agency exclusively devoted to advance on Urban Indian Health policy change and the further development of all Urban Indian Health Programs, NCUIH was granted an award to coordinate activities pertaining Special Diabetes Program for Indians among Urban Indian Health Programs.