Welcome to the SDPI Network
The Special Diabetes Program for Indians was created by Congress in 1997, and it has become our nation’s most effective effort in combatting diabetes in AI/AN communities. Congress must renew SDPI THIS YEAR to ensure that programs continue uninterrupted.
This will take ALL OF US working together. The National Indian Health Board has created this website to share information and provide new tools to help you participate in this campaign. Here you will find, for the first time, a new tool that documents, by each Member of Congress, history of support for SDPI, visits that have been conducted with their office, and other useful information.
Announcement:
EXCITING SYMPOSIUM: SDPI:
IMPACT BEYOND INDIAN COUNTRY
Latest News
Congress Votes to Renew the Special Diabetes Program for Indians (SDPI)
Congratulations! As one of the final acts of the 112th Congress, the U.S. House of Representatives and U.S. Senate approved H.R. 8 – American Taxpayer Relief Act of 2012 – a bipartisan bill that included a one-year renewal of the Special Diabetes Program for Indians (SDPI) at the current funding level of $150 million. The reauthorization of the SDPI is a significant accomplishment in the current challenging political and fiscal environment in Congress. The measure is expected to be signed by the President shortly...
View the Tax Agreement Fact Sheet (PDF)
Indian Health Service Director Adopts TLDC Strategic Plan
On December 12, the Director of the Indian Health Service (IHS), Dr. Yvette Roubideaux, adopted the Tribal Leaders Diabetes Committee (TLDC) Strategic Plan at the TLDC quarterly meeting at IHS Headquarters in Rockville, Maryland. This represents an important milestone in reaffirming the TLDC’s value to the IHS Director as well as in setting in motion a restructuring of the Committee to address identified priorities.
IHS 2011 Report to Congress on Special Diabetes Program for Indians Shows Outstanding Outcomes!
The Department of Health and Human Services released “Making Progress Toward a Healthier Future,” the IHS 2011 Report to Congress on the Special Diabetes Program for Indians (SDPI). The 2011 Report shows how SDPI has transformed diabetes prevention and treatment in American Indian and Alaska Native (AI/AN) communities since 1998.
NIHB Cohosts a Successful SDPI Diabetes Symposium
On December 11, the National Indian Health Board (NIHB), with Novo Nordisk Inc. and the Center for Native American Youth at the Aspen Institute, co-hosted a Symposium in Washington, D.C. titled, “The Special Diabetes Program for Indians: Impact Beyond Indian Country.” The Symposium was moderated by the Honorable Byron Dorgan, U.S. Senator (ret.), Founder and Chairman of the Center for Native American Youth at the Aspen Institute. NIHB Board Chairperson, Cathy Abramson, provided a welcome from NIHB and spoke about the personal connection between diabetes and its impact on Tribal communities in Michigan.
THE SPECIAL DIABETES PROGRAM FOR INDIANS: IMPACT BEYOND INDIAN COUNTRY
DECEMBER 11, 2012
8:00 AM – 10:30 AM
Hyatt Regency Washington on Capitol Hill
400 New Jersey Avenue Northwest
Washington, DC 20001
U.S. Senator Byron Dorgan SDPI Op-Ed Featured by Indian Country Today
On November 16, Indian Country Today featured a national op-ed from former U.S. Sen. Byron Dorgan (D-ND) in support of the Special Diabetes Program for Indians (SDPI). During Senator Dorgan’s time in the Senate, he fought for continued support of SDPI and has remained a champion for improved health care quality for American Indians and Alaska Natives.
“While in the Senate, I worked on a program called the Special Diabetes Program for Indians. SDPI funds programs and services to prevent and treat diabetes among American Indians and Alaska Natives,” said Sen. Dorgan. “It is also a program that is not only saving lives but also saving the federal government money. As a federal program that provides a strong return on the federal investment, Congress must understand the need to extend SDPI.”
Today is World Diabetes Day!
Click graphic above to view World Diabetes Day website
NIHB Announces National Call-In Day Event in Support of SDPI
Throughout the past year, the National Indian Health Board (NIHB) has stressed the importance of reauthorization of the Special Diabetes Program for Indians (SDPI). Next week, we need you to take action and speak up in support of SDPI.
On Wednesday, November 14th - World Diabetes Day - please join NIHB and Tribal communities from across the country in asking your Senators and Representatives to support renewal of SDPI this year! Congress will be back in session and we need to make sure that they renew SDPI!
As Tribal leaders in the diabetes community, we are notifying you in advance to help us spread the word about this critical call-to-action. NIHB will send out an Action Alert asking you to call your Members of Congress encouraging their support of SDPI. The Action Alert will provide information how you can contact Congress in this important call-to-action.
Should you have any additional questions or comments, please contact Jeremy Marshall, NIHB Senior Legislative Associate, at (202) 507-4078 or via email at Jmarshall@nihb.org.
NIHB Celebrates National Diabetes Month and National Native American Heritage Month in November
In celebration of National Diabetes Month and National Native American Heritage Month, the National Indian Health Board (NIHB), starting on November 1st, will host several exciting events that will focus on promoting American Indian and Alaska Native wellness, raising diabetes awareness, and celebrating the success of the Special Diabetes Program for Indians. NIHB will update the SDPI Resource Center with new tools and information throughout the month of November.
NIHB Hosts Special Diabetes Program for Indians Luncheon Seminar
On September 25, 2012, the National Indian Health Board (NIHB) hosted a Special Diabetes Program for Indians (SDPI) Luncheon Seminar at the NIHB 40th Anniversary and 29th Annual Consumer Conference and Celebration in Denver, Colorado at the Downtown Denver Sheraton Hotel. The two-hour Seminar featured a panel of Congressional leaders, Tribal leaders, top scientists, and researchers. Each panelist provided unique perspectives on how SDPI is addressing diabetes as well as securing renewal of the program this year...
NIHB Submits Statement on the Special Diabetes Program for Indians
On August 22, the National Indian Health Board submitted an official statement to the Senate Finance Committee in response to the August 8th Field Hearing at Crow Agency, MT, titled: Healing in Indian Country: Ensuring Access to Quality Health Care. The purpose of the Field Hearing was to address accessing quality health care in Indian Country. In addition to the tribal testimony provided at the Field Hearing, the statement highlights two additional recommendations: Special Diabetes Program for Indians (SDPI) reauthorization and protection of the Indian Health Service budget through any cuts enacted through the sequestration process next January. The SDPI statement will be posted on the Senate Finance Committee website in the coming months as it becomes a part of the official record.
NIHB Field Hearing Statement on SDPI 8.22.12 (PDF)
NIHB Board of Directors Unanimously Approves Resolution to Renew SDPI
On June 22, 2012 the NIHB Board of Directors unanimously approved a resolution affirming that the Tribes support requesting Congress to renew the Special Diabetes Program for Indians (SDPI) at $200 million per year for five years. In addition, the Board affirmed that the Tribes request Congress to make the SDPI program subject to contract requirements under P.L. 93-638
Congress shows strong support for renewal of SDPI!
As the first step in the campaign to extend SDPI this year, NIHB joined with our coalition partners and leaders of the House and Senate Diabetes Caucus in securing signatures on a letter to House and Senate Leadership. The effort was a huge success, with 269 Representatives and 72 Senators signing the letter!
IHS presentation on SDPI history, outcomes and future opportunities
The IHS Division of Diabetes Treatment and Prevention (DDTP) delivered a presentation on SDPI at the NIHB’s Public Health Summit in Tulsa, OK on May 30, 2012.
To view PDF of the presentation, click here.
Grantee Map
Click map to enlarge
Important Links
Chickasaw.tv
American Diabetes Association
- ADA Website
- Awakening the Spirit SDPI Advocacy Materials (coming soon)
Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation
IHS Division of Diabetes Treatment and Prevention
National Diabetes Education Program
Local Impact
Marion Reynolds,
St. Croix Healthy Heart Program
I was diagnosed with diabetes approximately twenty years ago. I had thought maybe there was a chance I would not get it. My father was not diabetic. My mother was diabetic and passed away at the age of 57 from an abdominal aneurysm...
Terry Williams,
Black Hawk Health Center
Terry Williams is a thirty-nine year old father of three. Terry was diagnosed with diabetes December 2010. His A1C was 10, his blood pressure was dangerously high and he was overweight. Due to his love for his family, determination and commitment, and the services provided by the Black Hawk Health Center through the Special Diabetes Program he turned his life around. Within one year, he lost 137 pounds...
Wanda McFaggen,
St. Croix Healthy Heart Program
I am very grateful to the St. Croix Healthy Heart Program. When I was first diagnosed with diabetes it was pretty emotional to know I had to live with this disease for the rest of my life. Watching my grandson’s worried look and his asking if I was going to die was heartbreaking. I knew I had to get healthy to walk on this earth for a while longer-for myself as well as my grandson. He would ask me, “Gramma if you die, who’s going to teach me?”...
Amy Lemmer,
Sonoma County Indian Health Project
I was introduced to the SDPI Healthy Traditions program at a time when I was struggling with my health and my weight. I had previously participated in a similar program at Kaiser, but I found that program ineffective because of its individualistic and lecture oriented approach. When I went to the SDPI Healthy Traditions program, I found that it was culturally sensitive, appropriate, and effective...
Jennifer Smith,
Warm Springs Oregon Diabetes Prevention Program
Warm Springs community member Jennifer Smith was diagnosed by her primary care provider with Pre-Diabetes in December 2011, concerned about becoming diabetic she immediately enrolled in the Warm Springs Diabetes Prevention Program in January and completed the class sessions in April. Nearly six months after completing the 16 week program Jennifer remains actively involved with the program and continues to see her lifestyle coach...
Shirley Heath,
Warm Springs Oregon Diabetes Prevention Program
Imagine going in for your next doctor’s visit and the doctor explained to you that you have been diagnosed with pre-diabetes. How would you react? What thoughts would be running through your mind? You may begin to think of questions you might ask your doctor like, what do I need to do to prevent diabetes? How do I start the process? Is there a place that will assist me in getting the help I need?...
Larry Smith,
Warm Springs Oregon Diabetes Prevention Program
Larry Smith was referred to the Diabetes Prevention Program (DPP) by his doctor and has been involved with the program for almost a year. He has made many transformations since joining the program and strides towards meeting his ultimate goal...