American Diabetes Association Announces Third Annual John Pipe Voices For Change Award Winners

Contests, Pow Wow Exercise Classes and Other Innovative Approaches to Diabetes Treatment and Prevention Recognized

Alexandria, VA – Sep 28, 2011 – Several leading Special Diabetes Program for Indians (SDPI) grantees will be presented with the American Diabetes Association‘s John Pipe Voices For Change Award. These programs are recognized for their effective diabetes treatment and prevention services in American Indian and Alaska Native communities. The awards will be presented today at the National Indian Health Board’s 28th Annual Consumer Conference in Anchorage, Alaska.”American Indian and Alaska Natives have the highest rate of type 2 diabetes in the United States,” said Gale Marshall, Chair of the American Diabetes Association’s Awakening the SpiritNative American Subcommittee. “These award recipients are working to change the future of diabetes by developing innovative and successful diabetes prevention and treatment programs, activities and resources.”

The awards are named in memory of long-time diabetes supporter John Pipe of Wolf Point, Montana, who was a dedicated diabetes advocate and served as a member of the Association’s Native American Initiatives Subcommittee. His longstanding advocacy efforts reached from his local community to Washington, DC and affected countless tribal communities.

The 2011 John Pipe Voices For Change Award recognizes SDPI programs that have excelled in the following categories: Advocacy, Outcomes, and Innovation.

Advocacy Award:

NATIVE HEALTH Diabetes Program
Phoenix, Arizona
The NATIVE HEALTH Diabetes Program educates American Indians about type 2 diabetes prevention and promotes healthier lives with positive lifestyle changes. For 11 years, the Program’s Living Well Traditionally Youth Camp has taught youth ages 9-14 about the importance of physical fitness, self esteem and nutrition. The camp is creating a new generation of children who are advocating for diabetes prevention in their community.

Southeast Alaska Regional Health Consortium
Sitka, Alaska
The Southeast Alaska Regional Health Consortium (SEARHC), an SDPI Demonstration Project, involves clinical activities and community events focused on increasing physical activity and healthy nutrition. The community events, based on local cultural traditions, create sustainable, healthy changes both within the family and in the community. This year’s programs focused on two public health social marketing campaigns, Know Your ABC’s and Know Your Numbers. Both campaigns targeted medical providers, people living with diabetes or prediabetes or people at risk for diabetes. These campaigns were delivered via luncheons, displays and community events.

Outcomes Award:

Yakama IHS Healthy Heart Program
Toppenish, Washington
The Yakama IHS Healthy Heart Program is an SDPI Demonstration Project designed to reduce cardiovascular disease in their patients with diabetes. They have successfully used a collaborative approach to diabetes care by incorporating tribal culture with modern medicine. Its unique case management system for patients with type 2 diabetes utilizes pharmacists as a key component to individualized diabetes care. The pharmacists emphasize medication management but also have training and expertise in disease management. The Healthy Heart participants meet with their prospective pharmacist clinical case manager monthly or bi-monthly depending upon need and control of diabetes, hypertension and lipids.

In addition, participants are welcomed and encouraged to manage their diabetes through culturally appropriate activities and traditional foods. Partnerships with other programs have resulted in bison distribution, root digging trips, salmon preservation and berry picking. Physical exercise is encouraged as family units with a traditional Pow Wow exercise class “Dance Away Diabetes,” community walks and track meets, bowling events, golfing and swimming. Since inception the Yakama IHS Healthy Heart Program has excelled and exceeded participant recruitment and retention goals.

Innovation Award:

Fond du Lac Human Services (FDLHS) Diabetes Prevention Program
Cloquet, Minnesota
The FDLHS Diabetes Prevention Program developed and implemented a “Word of Mouth” community-wide advertising campaign about diabetes prevention this past year. The campaign included a community competition. In order to enter, each person would have to have a blood glucose screening. During the four-month competition, word spread. In all, 491 community members were screened; 51 members were diagnosed with prediabetes and eight were diagnosed with diabetes. The winner was a community member whose father is experiencing diabetes complications and had wanted his adult son to be tested. The son stated the contest motivated him to finally get tested for diabetes and prediabetes.

Norton Sound Health Corporation CAMP Department
Nome, Alaska
The Norton Sound Health Corporation CAMP Department implements the Summercise program, an innovative diabetes prevention program for the youth of Nome. The summer program provides physical activity opportunities and nutrition/cooking classes. This program incorporates traditional activities to encourage the cultural aspects of a healthy lifestyle that is grounded in the Alaska Native culture. Findings from the program suggest that Summercise affects youth of the community in a positive way and provides opportunities that would not otherwise be available to them. It has shown to make an impact on the youth’s knowledge, skill level, and attitude of healthy eating and physical activity.

Honorable Mention:

Innovation Honorable Mention: Toiyabe Indian Health Project, Bishop, California

Outcomes Honorable Mention: Warm Springs Diabetes Prevention Program, Warm Springs, Oregon

The SDPI continues to provide Indian health programs and tribal communities the resources and tools they need to both prevent and treat diabetes. It funds nearly 400 community directed programs, offering local tribes and health programs the opportunity to set priorities that meet the needs of the community, whether it be diabetes prevention activities or treatment. For over a decade Congress has provided funding for the SDPI and the American Diabetes Association has played an integral part in advocating for this important program. The Association, including the Awakening the Spirit Subcommittee, will continue to work for strong support of SDPI.

The American Diabetes Association is leading the fight to stop diabetes and its deadly consequences and fighting for those affected by diabetes. The Association funds research to prevent, cure and manage diabetes; delivers services to hundreds of communities; provides objective and credible information; and gives voice to those denied their rights because of diabetes. Founded in 1940, our mission is to prevent and cure diabetes and to improve the lives of all people affected by diabetes. For more information please call the American Diabetes Association at 1-800-DIABETES (1-800-342-2383) or visit www.diabetes.org. Information from both these sources is available in English and Spanish.

Contact Information

Contact:
Sarah Bradley
703-549-1500, ext. 2231
sbradley@diabetes.org