Diabetes prevalence among American Indians and Alaska Natives and the overall population--United States, 1994-2002.

Diabetes affects American Indians/Alaska Natives (AI/ANs) disproportionately compared with other racial/ethnic populations and has been increasing in prevalence in AI/AN populations during the past 16 years. To examine trends in diabetes prevalence among AI/ANs and the overall U.S. population and to describe disparities among these two populations, CDC analyzed data from the Indian Health Service (IHS) and the Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS). This report summarizes the results of that analysis, which indicate that diabetes continues to affect AI/ANs disproportionately and is becoming more common among younger populations. To combat this epidemic, knowledge and interventions from clinical trials and best-practice models should be translated to community-based prevention programs within AI/AN communities.