Copyright © 2009 NLThomas
All Rights Reserved

TAHLEQUAH, Oklahoma - November has been declared as Diabetes Awareness Month in the Cherokee Nation by Principal Chief Chad Smith, who recently signed a proclamation declaring the event. “A part of our overall mission is to help our citizens be healthy and happy,” Smith said. “Diabetes is a disease that affects not just and individual but the family unit, and Native Americans are at high risk for the development of the disease. We hope that teaching our people about how to prevent and manage diabetes will lead to healthier families across the Cherokee Nation.” Diabetes is a disease that affects the body’s ability to convert sugars, starches and other food into energy. It is estimated that more than 23 million Americans are affected by the disease, and that nearly 6 million people are not aware they have it. In the Cherokee Nation, there are nearly 5,000 patients in the tribe’s Diabetes Registry. Native Americans are at particular risk for diabetes, and in 2008 just over 44 percent of the diagnosis of patients treated at the tribe’s health centers were in relation to the disease. The Cherokee Nation spends an average of $6.5 million annually in the diabetes program which offers a team approach to patient care, including intensive case and care management, podiatry services, primary prevention activities and self-management classes. Each year, November is recognized as American Diabetes Month across the United States by the American Diabetes Association. The time is set aside to shine a spotlight on a serious disease that leads to potentially life-threatening complications such as heart disease, stroke, kidney disease, blindness, and amputation. Currently, statistics show that 24 million children and adults in the United States live with diabetes, 57 million Americans are at risk for Type 2 diabetes and one out of every three children born today will face a future with diabetes if current trends continue. For more information on the Cherokee Nation Diabetes Prevention Program, call 918-453-5776.

Related Cherokee Nation contact information:

Mike Miller, Cherokee Nation Director of Communications Phone: 918-456-0671 (ext.2210) Fax: 918-458-5580 E-mail: Communications@cherokee.org Larry Daugherty, Advertising Manager Cherokee Nation - Public Affairs Phone 918-456-0671 (Ex.2324) E-mail: ldaugherty@cherokee.org

Steven Swogger, Agriculture Liaison Natural Resources Department Phone: 918-456-0671 (ext.2546) FAX: 918-458-7673 E-mail: sswogger@cherokee.org Bradley D. Peak, Cherokee Nation Natural Resources Specialist Phone: 918-456-0671 (ex.2843) E-mail: bpeak@cherokee.org