Volume 15 Winter 2003 Issue No. 2

Resource Guide:   Materials provide crucial information about diabetes and American Indians

by Peggy Hiestand, M.Ed.

How do I know if I'm getting the correct information about diabetes? Where can I get specific information on diabetes for American Indians and Alaska Natives? Are there any videos that my community could view on diabetes? Are there any books or cookbooks that focus on diabetes that could possibly help me? What about the Internet -- what sites are good sites to find information?

If you have diabetes, getting the correct information from a reliable source is critical. With this chronic disease increasing in numbers every day, people are looking for ways to find up-to-date, reliable information.

The Internet has become a source for many people who have computer and Internet access available. This resource guide is intended to give you reliable sources out on the "web" for the most current information. This guide is by no means the only resource; it is a starting point to obtain further information.

The more informed you are about diabetes, the more you will understand the importance of a healthy diet and physical activity in your life. Type 2 diabetes is a disease of lifestyle, and prevention is the key. As this disease is reaching epidemic proportions, we now have children with this disease. Get informed on what to do to prevent members of your family from getting this chronic disease.

Videos

Native American Prevention Research Center, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center-College of Public Health & Rhoades, E.R. (2002) Diabetes -- don't you get it. Oklahoma City, OK: Native American Prevention Research Center.
This 20-minute video is directed at Native American children all across America to tell them the importance of healthy eating and lifestyle in preventing diabetes. Contact: kymberly-cravatt@ouhsc.edu or call Kymberly Cravatt at (405) 271-2330 ext.6740.

Williamson, G., Brown, N. P., & Noble, S. (2000) Horse song. Shiprock, NM: Four Directions Health Communications.
Produced with assistance from the Navajo Nation, this 60-minute video focuses on the impacts on family members who live with a person who has undiagnosed diabetes. Horse Song is told in the Navajo language with English subtitles. Traditional stories provide healing as the father seeks out both Native and Western remedies. For a copy of this video, phone (505) 368-6499.

Rhine, G. & Belgarde, P. (2000) Rez robics. Malibu, CA: Dreamcatchers, Inc.
Exercise along with other Native Americans. Copies of this video are free of charge to Indian communities. Contact Pam Belgarde at (209) 388-1548, or email wellnative@hotmail.com for more information.

Shenandoah Film Productions, Arcata, CA. www.shenandoahfilms.com
An Indian-owned enterprise, this company has over 300 videos on topics related to culture, health, environment, addictions, healing, education, elders, and sovereignty. Call (707) 822-1030 for a catalogue.

Internet sites

American Indian Radio on Satellite
www.AIROS.org or phone (402) 472-3522
Check this website out weekly for information relating to health in Indian Country.

American Diabetes Association
www.diabetes.org or phone (800) 342-2383
The American Diabetes Association is the nation's leading nonprofit health organization providing diabetes research, information, and advocacy. Check out their website for current research, information, recipes, and even a support group at www.diabetes.org/main/community/outreach/support.jsp

Association of American Indian Physicians
www.aaip.com/home/home.html or phone (405) 946-7072
Check out this website for issues in Indian health. Included is a site link (www.aaip.com/student/index3.html) for student resources (scholarships, activities) and a site link(www.aaip.com/fitness_nutrition/index.html) to fitness and nutrition that has many links to health organizations.

Center for Disease Control and Prevention
www.cdc.gov/diabetes/ or phone (877) 232-3422
This web page has links to current diabetes data, diabetes trends, diabetes prevention, and a national diabetes fact sheet to name a few.

Community Tool Box
ctb.ku.edu or phone (785) 864-0533
This web site gives you information promoting community health and development.

Health Finder
www.healthfinder.gov
If you put the words Native Americans in the search box, there are several links.

Indian Health Service
www.ihs.gov/MedicalPrograms/diabetes/resources/r_index.asp
This site has links to all regional area diabetes programs. In addition, they have educational resources, including a pamphlet on acanthosis nicrigans, dark skin pigment that increases the risk for diabetes (www.ihs.gov/medicalprograms/diabetes). Phone (505) 248-4182.

Mayo Clinic-Native CIRCLE
www.mayo.edu/nativecircle/resources.html or phone (877) 372-1617
Although this site is specific to cancer, it offers many links to resources that include cultural education brochures.

Morbidity and Mortality Report
www.cdc.gov/mmwr/preview/mmwrhtml/mm5230a3.htm
The Aug. 1, 2003 (Vol. 52, No. 30), issue of the Center for Disease Control and Prevention's Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report focuses entirely on American Indian and Alaska Native health issues. It includes injuries, health disparities, cancer, and vaccinations, as well as diabetes.

Native Health Databases
hsc.unm.edu/library/nhd/links.cfm or phone (505) 272-8873
A web link to American Indian health resources, American Indian links, and American Indian health funding resource links.

National Diabetes Education Program
ndep.nih.gov/get-info/get-info.htm or phone (301) 496-3583

National Diabetes Information Clearinghouse (NDIC)
www.niddk.nih.gov/health/diabetes/pubs/amindian/amindian.htm
A service of the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK), this site includes a 15-page report that answers questions on diabetes among American Indians and Alaska Natives. Write to NIDDK, 1 Information Way, Bethesda, MD 20892-3560.

National Indian Council on Aging (NICOA)
www.nicoa.org or phone (505) 292-2001
This site includes digital data focused on American Indian and Alaska Native populations and their elders regarding health issues.

National Women's Health Information Center
www.4woman.gov or phone (800) 994-9662
This is an extensive site geared towards women's health issues.

Northern California Indian Development Council, Inc. (NCIDC)
www.ncidc.org/foodnut.htm or phone (707) 445-8451
A web link that informs tribal governments and Indian communities of nutrition-related programs.

Tribal Health Connections
www.tribehealth.org or phone (505) 368-2984
This site is an internet-based health information and education project developed for the Four Corner states: Arizona, Colorado, New Mexico, and Utah. A free email newsletter concerning health events in Indian Country is available at this site.

Wisdom Steps
www.wisdomsteps.com or phone (800) 882-6262
This elder program is a partnership among the American Indian communities and the Minnesota Board on Aging to encourage the path to health.

Woodlands Wisdom
www.woodlandswisdom.org or phone (612) 625-3187
Six tribal colleges and the University of Minnesota formed a confederation to address chronic health issues in Native American communities through culturally-relevant programs of teaching, research, and community connections. The Woodlands Wisdom Nutrition Project looks at integrating traditional knowledge to help guide contemporary health issues.

Books

Becker, Gretchen. (2001) First year-type 2 diabetes: An essential guide for the newly diagnosed. New York, NY: Avalon Publishing Group.
Written by an author who has type 2 diabetes, the book addresses emotional issues that frequently don't get addressed.

Berg, F., & Flach, A. (2003) Underage and overweight: Americans childhood obesity epidemic-parents need to know. Long Island, NY: Hatherleigh Press
This book gives a seven-step plan for raising healthy weight children.

Trafzer, C., & Weiner, D. (2001) Medicine ways: Disease, health and survival among Native Americans. Walnut Creek, CA: AltaMira Press.
This book explores diseases and solutions based in community worldviews. A collection of essays examines the way people from indigenous communities think and practice health care within socio-cultural contexts.

U.S. Civil Rights Commission. (2003). A quiet crisis: Federal funding and unmet needs in Indian country.
Chapter 3 addresses the Department of Health and Human Services, including unmet health needs. It concludes: "The anorexic budget of IHS [Indian Health Service] can only lead one to deduce that less value is placed on Indian health than that of other populations." A downloadable copy is available at www.usccr.gov, or call (202) 376-8128.

Cookbooks

Edaakie, R., et.al. (1999). Idonapshe let's eat: Traditional Zuni foods. Albuquerque, NM: University of New Mexico.
Compiled by the Zuni people, this book includes recipes, with dietary analyses, of Zuni foods. It also includes an introduction to the Zuni language.

Geil, P., & Ross,T. (2003) Cooking up fun for kids with diabetes. Chicago, IL: American Diabetes Association.
Provides information on healthy eating and nutrition for children with type 1 or type 2 diabetes. This book includes recipes and activities to teach children the link between diabetes and nutrition.

Giedt, F.& Polin, B. (1998) Joslin diabetes quick and easy cookbook. New York, NY: Simon & Schuster.
This cookbook has 200 recipes that reflect today's style of cooking and eating geared for people with diabetes.

Mosher, S. (1999). Menu planner for health, for life. Upbeat Dietetics, Inc. Cornell, MI .
Twenty-one days of easy-to-prepare, healthy menus, including recipes and carbohydrate counts on servings.

Sahelian, R., & Gates, D. (1999) Stevia cookbook. Itasca, IL: Putnam Publishing Group.
Stevia, a natural herb that is 300 times sweeter than sugar, was known to Native Americans for centuries. Use this herb for sweetening; it is safe for children and people with diabetes.

Magazines

Diabetes Forecast. Chicago, IL: American Diabetes Association. Call (800) 806-7801 for information on subscriptions.

Native Life. Portland, OR: Indian Health Service (IHS), National Diabetes Program, and Portland Area IHS Diabetes Program. Request a copy or copies by fax: (505) 248-4188. Allow 2-3 weeks for delivery. Limit 100 copies.

Tribal College Journal Wellness issue, 11(1). Mancos, CO: AIHEC. The resource guide is available on the website, www.tribalcollegejournal.org or phone (970) 533-9170

Well Nations. Rapid City, SD: Well Nations, Inc. The magazine's mission is to provide people with knowledge regarding the "physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual lifestyles of health, wellness, and vitality." See www.wellnations.com or phone (605) 348-9283.

Peggy Hiestand is a registered dietitian and a certified diabetes educator. She is the Woodlands Wisdom coordinator at the Fond du Lac Tribal and Community College in Cloquet, MN. Previously, she was employed for the Fond du Lac Reservation as a dietitian/diabetes educator for 10 years. For more information about the two-year associate of nutrition degree, email peggyh@ezigaa.fdl.cc.mn.us or call Fond du Lac Tribal and Community College at (218) 879-0800.