Diabetes and the Cherokee
I spent a recent Monday in Tahlequah talking to Cherokee Nation staff about diabetes. As is often the case, I had to leave out a lot of stuff. So I thought I’d share some of it here.
If you need a refresher, the story is here.
Dr. David Randall, chief of podiatry for the tribe, estimated 5 to 10 percent of diabetics are at risk of developing foot ulcers, about one-fifth of which lead to amputation.
Randall also said he thinks many people in the tribe’s 14-county jurisdictional area see others undergo procedures related to diabetes or suffer from its complications, increasing awareness of the disease and how to take care of oneself. He pointed out the tribe’s employee wellness program and the positive signs he has seen among his patients, most notably a “significant decrease” in amputations.
Diabetes Program Director Teresa Chaudoin said practically every Cherokee has a diabetic in the family. When she came to work for the tribe in 2001, her focus was largely clinical — after all, it was the most pressing. Later, she dove into prevention. Now the tribe has dietitians at each of its clinics and reports more people are able to manage their blood sugar.
“We’ve worked here to build a comprehensive, integrated program,” she said.
Lisa Pivec, director of community health promotion for the tribe, emphasized that losing weight, stopping smoking, eating well and taking appropriate medications worked to reduce chronic illnesses other than diabetes. One of the tribe’s wellness initiatives, called Wings, began with walking and running but now includes bowling, stickball, dancing and other activities.
Wings members, of which there are more than 1,000, receive admission to 24 races a year. Members have reported a one-point drop in body mass index over nonmembers. Sounds like very little, but big health improvements can be in small numbers. Planned activities often suit the tribe’s rural citizens.
“A lot of our communities are very rural and they may need structured events,” Pivec said.
For health and medical news and commentary, visit The Medicine Bag blog at http://blog.newsok.com/health.
Jeff Raymond, Medical Writer
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