Local Impact - California

Karen

Case Manager
Sac n Fox, Kewa Pueblo
Case Manager
United American Indian Involvement

“We are able to support our clients by changing the way they prepare food, make better choices, and eat healthier.”
- Karen

As a Case Manager Supervisor I have worked many years on our Diabetes Management Team. We have had to work diligently to make sure our community is aware of things they can do to minimize and prevent complications from diabetes. We give educational workshops once a month. We also work with clients on a one-on-one basis with follow up.

I think this makes a huge difference in how our client's view their own health. We are able to support our clients by changing the way they prepare food, make better choices, and eat healthier. We also make sure that they are aware of self-care, and that they have control over their own health. It is important to support them as they make positive changes. We need to keep this program going so that we see even more changes in how diabetes effects our community.

About United American Indian Involvement

United American Indian Involvement, Inc. is the largest one -stop provider of human and health services for American Indians Alaskan Natives living in the County of Los Angeles, California.

Diabetes prevention and management is a high priority for the health project. The diabetes prevention program screened and tracked 765 AI/AN patients at high risk of developing Type 2 diabetes. Outcomes showed that 71.6% of participants graduated from the program, and only 8.6% developed type-2 diabetes over an 11 year period. For the 74 diabetes patients that are currently active, 96% have an A1c<8.1 and 78% maintain a blood pressure less than 140/90 (within the recommended guidelines for diabetes care). Under GPRA,

• 86% had access to care for foot exams
• 70% had dental exams
• 92% were screened for depression
• 97% were screened for tobacco use
• 77% received flu immunizations, and 68% received the Hepatitis B vaccine series.

Diabetes in California

According to 2008 CDC data, approximately 2,220,000 people in California – 8.3% of the state’s population – had diagnosed diabetes, and many of them suffer from serious complications or conditions. In addition to the human toll diabetes places on people in California, the financial burden diabetes places on the health care system in the state is staggering – in 2007, the approximate direct and indirect cost of diabetes in California was approximately $24.42 billion.

Stories & Progams