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Native Youth Diabetes Rates Soar, Signaling Urgent Health Crisis
8 Oct
Summary
- Native American youth have diabetes rates up to 64 times higher than non-Native peers
- Native women bear the highest burden, with 77% higher rates than Native men
- Diabetes has worsened 3-8 times in Native communities since 1980
A recent review published in the medical journal Diabetologia has uncovered a devastating diabetes epidemic among Native American youth. According to the findings, Native American youth have type II diabetes at rates up to 64 times higher than their non-Native peers.
The review, which analyzed data from 49 studies conducted between 1978 and 2019, found that the burden of diabetes falls heaviest on Native women. AI/AN female youth have diabetes at rates 77% higher than their male counterparts. Across the Native communities included in the review, the disease has risen 3-8 times since 1980, a staggering increase that points to a growing health crisis.
The review also noted that the true prevalence of diabetes may be even higher, as some studies relied on data from the Indian Health Service, which may underestimate the disease's impact due to barriers in accessing healthcare. Nonetheless, the findings make it clear that urgent action is needed to address this alarming disparity and improve the health outcomes of Native American youth.
