Congress established the Special Diabetes Program for Indians (SDPI) in 1997 as part of the Balanced Budget Act to address the growing epidemic of diabetes in American Indian and Alaska Native (AI/AN) communities. The Special Diabetes Program for Type 1 Diabetes (SDP) was established at the same time to address the opportunities in type 1 diabetes research. Together, these programs have become the nation’s most strategic, comprehensive and effective effort to combat diabetes and its complications. SDPI currently provides grants for 404 programs in 34 states – view grantee map.
At a rate of 2.8 times the national average, AI/ANs have the highest prevalence of diabetes. In some AI/AN communities, over 50% of adults have been diagnosed with type 2 diabetes and AI/ANs are 177% more likely to die from diabetes. But SDPI is changing these troubling statistics with marked improvements in average blood sugar levels, reductions in the incidence of cardiovascular disease, prevention and weight management programs for our youth, and a significant increase in the promotion of healthy lifestyle behaviors. This success is due to the nature of this grant program to allow communities to design and implement diabetes interventions that address locally identified community priorities.
SDPI is set to expire in September 2013 unless Congress once again takes action to extend the program. And, as in past renewal efforts, we are urging Congress to renew the program early so that successful programs can continue uninterrupted and talented staff will remain in communities and continue to provided needed services.
To join in this effort and help to ensure that SDPI continues, click here.
$30 million per year (1998–2002)
- Establish the original Special Diabetes Program for Indians grant program for the “prevention and treatment of diabetes” in American Indians and Alaska Natives.
- Conduct a comprehensive evaluation of the Program.
Added $70 million per year (2001–2002)
$100 million for 2003
- Continue diabetes treatment and prevention activities in Tribal communities.
- Implement a best practices approach to diabetes treatment and prevention.
- Build upon what the grant programs have learned.
$150 million per year (2004-2008)
- Continue ongoing diabetes treatment and prevention activities in Tribal communities as Community-Directed Diabetes Programs.
- Strengthen the IHS diabetes data infrastructure.
- Develop and implement competitive Demonstration Projects for: (1) primary prevention of diabetes in American Indians and Alaska Natives at risk for developing diabetes; and (2) cardiovascular disease risk reduction in American Indians and Alaska Natives with diabetes.
$150 million (2009)
- Continue activities as in 2004-2008
$150 million (2012-2013)
- Continue activities as in 2004-2008 for 404 IHS, Tribal, and Urban Indian health programs, including 30 Healthy Heart and 38 Diabetes Prevention Initiatives.
