IHS Director recognizes Diabetes Prevention and Healthy Heart Demonstration Programs with awards

IHS, Tribal and urban Indian health programs that participated in the Special Diabetes Program for Indians (SDPI) Diabetes Prevention and Healthy Heart Demonstration Project will be recognized by the Indian Health Service (IHS) Director with a Special Recognition Award. Dr. Yvette Roubideaux, director of the IHS, will present the awards at a June 29 ceremony in Washington, D.C.

The SDPI was created in 1997 at the direction of Congress to fund diabetes prevention and treatment services in IHS, tribal, and urban Indian health programs. In 2004, the IHS created the SDPI Demonstration Projects at the direction of Congress to apply research findings in real-world settings to prevent diabetes and cardiovascular disease. The SDPI Demonstration Projects consist of two initiatives: the SDPI Diabetes Prevention Program and the SDPI Healthy Heart Project. Overall, 66 grants were funded that served 110 tribal communities.

“Thirty-six IHS, tribal, and urban Indian Diabetes Prevention Programs are being recognized for innovative and outstanding teamwork that successfully demonstrated diabetes can be prevented in American Indian and Alaska Native Communities," said Dr. Roubideaux.

Thirty IHS, tribal, and urban Indian Healthy Heart Programs also are being recognized by Dr. Roubideaux “for innovative and outstanding teamwork that successfully demonstrated cardiovascular disease risk reduction in American Indian and Alaska Native communities.”

View the complete list of SDPI award recipients [PDF - 86KB].