Special Diabetes Program for Indians (SDPI)

Congress established the Special Diabetes Program for Indians (SDPI) in 1997 for the prevention and treatment of diabetes in American Indian and Alaska Natives. American Indian and Alaska Natives have the highest rates of type 2 diabetes in the United States. The SDPI supported programs have resulted in the mean blood sugar level (A1C) decreasing from 9.0% in 1996 to 8.0% in 2011, which translates to a 40% reduction in diabetes-related complications. The SDPI is currently funded at $150 million per year thru FY 2013. SDPI proves that federal investment in community-driven, culturally-appropriate prevention programs has immensely positive results. NIHB looks forward to working with Tribal Leaders and Congress to reauthorize the program beyond 2013.

SDPI Fact Sheets

NIHB Hosts Tribal Caucus on the Special Diabetes Program for Indians

On March 7, 2012, the National Indian Health Board sponsored a Tribal Caucus and Briefing on the reauthorization of the Special Diabetes Program for Indians (SDPI) funding. The Program will expire in 2013 unless it is reauthorized.

The Briefing and Caucus was Chaired by Buford Rolin, Chairman of the Poarch Band of Creek Indians, NIHB Board Member and Chairman of the Tribal Diabetes Leaders Committee (pictured).

Featured guests included:

National Institutes of Health
Indian Health Service
American Diabetes Association
Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation
National Indian Health Board

Click Here for Save the Date flyer (PDF).

Click Here for the Agenda (PDF).

Click here for the Meeting Summary (PDF).

For more information, please contact Liz Malerba, Legislative Assistant, NIHB lmalerba@nihb.org

Ask Congress: Sign onto a Support Letter for the Special Diabetes Program for Indians (SDPI)

Background:
Congress established the Special Diabetes Program for Indians (SDPI) in 1997 for the prevention and treatment of diabetes in American Indian and Alaska Natives (AI/ANs). AI/ANs have the highest rates of type 2 diabetes in the United States, 2.8 times higher than the U.S. general population. The SDPI is currently funded at $150 million per year through Fiscal Year (FY) 2013. The program will expire in 2013 unless it is reauthorized. To ensure uninterrupted funding for SDPI, it is crucial that Congress pass a reauthorization this year. SDPI proves that federal investment in community-driven, culturally-appropriate prevention programs has immensely positive results:

Average blood sugar levels among the AI/AN population decreased a full percentage point (from 9.0 percent to 8.0 percent) between 1996 and 2011.
Average LDL (bad) cholesterol declined over 20 percent between 1998 and 2011.
Between 1995 and 2006, the incidence rate of End State Renal Disease (ESRD) in AI/AN individuals with diabetes fell by 27.7 percent, which translates into millions of dollars in savings for Medicare, the Indian Health Service, and other third party payers.

Action:
Call your Senators and Representative, and ask them to add their name to an SDPI support letter because:

SDPI is a life-saving program that provides real returns on federal investment.
SDPI must be reauthorized in order to continue to make progress on the devastatingly high incidence of diabetes in Indian Country.

House of Representatives:
To determine your Representative and receive specific contact information for them, click here. The House SDPI support letter is being distributed by Reps. Diana DeGette (D-CO) and Ed Whitfield (R-KY)

Senate:
To determine your Senators and receive specific contact information for them, click here. The Senate SDPI support letter is being distributed by Sens. Susan Collins (R-ME) and Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH).

To be connected to a Representative or Senator via phone, call the Congressional switchboard at: 202-224-3121

Links

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