Joslin hosts conference on diabetes in American Indian/Alaska Natives, May 16-19...( DENVER - May 12 2005 - A coalition of ...)

DENVER - May 12, 2005 - A coalition of leading health organizations today announced the first national conference to address cardiovascular disease and diabetes within the American Indian and Alaska Native (AI/AN) communities. The AI/AN conference will focus on increasing the knowledge of healthcare providers, tribal community members and leaders, and urban community health leaders on the link between diabetes and cardiovascular disease (CVD) and how to integrate treatment and prevention of these closely related diseases.

More than 700 healthcare providers, tribal community members/leaders, federal and state health policy makers, and urban and community health leaders will attend the conference which will be held May 16-19, 2005 at the Adam's Mark Hotel, 1550 Court Place in Denver.

CVD has become a leading health issue among AI/AN over the past several decades. According to the Strong Heart Study, in these populations CVD occurs at rates almost twice that of the general U.S. population. In addition, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), diabetes has been a major public health concern among AI/AN communities in the United States for the past 50 years. On average, AI/AN adults are 2.2 times more likely to have diabetes than non-Hispanic whites of similar age. A recent report by the Indian Health Service (IHS) revealed a 106 percent increase in diabetes among adolescent AI/AN measured over an 11 year period, raising concerns about the impact of diabetes on future generations and highlighting the urgent need for immediate preventive interventions.

"Cardiovascular disease has become the leading cause of death of American Indians and Alaska Natives," said James M. Galloway, M.D., F.A.C.P., F.A.C.C., Director of the Native American Cardiology Program and senior cardiologist for the IHS. "Diabetes is the most important risk factor. In addition, the roles of high cholesterol, high blood p
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Contact: Marjorie Dwyer
marjorie.dwyer@joslin.harvard.edu
617-732-2415
Joslin Diabetes Center
12-May-2005

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