Trends in diabetes prevalence among American Indian and Alaska native children, adolescents, and young adults.
OBJECTIVE
This study determined trends in diabetes prevalence among young American Indians and Alaska Natives.


METHODS
American Indian and Alaska Native children (< 15 years), adolescents (15-19 years), and young adults (20-34 years) with diabetes were identified from the Indian Health Service (IHS) outpatient database. The population living within IHS contract health service delivery areas was determined from census data.


RESULTS
From 1990 to 1998, the total number of young American Indians and Alaska Natives with diagnosed diabetes increased by 71% (4534 to 7736); prevalence increased by 46% (6.4 per 1000 to 9.3 per 1000 population). Increases in prevalence were greater among adolescents and among young men.


CONCLUSIONS
Diabetes should be considered a major public health problem among young American Indians and Alaska Natives.
Acton
Kelly J
KJ
Indian Health Service, Rockville, MD, USA.
Burrows
Nilka Ríos
NR
Moore
Kelly
K
Querec
Linda
L
Geiss
Linda S
LS
Engelgau
Michael M
MM
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000413:Alaska / Q000453:epidemiology; D019352:Censuses; D002648:Child; D003924:Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 / Q000208:ethnology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007198:Indians, North American / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D004930:Inuit / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D008297:Male; D015995:Prevalence; D011634:Public Health; D014481:United States / Q000453:epidemiology; D016549:United States Indian Health Service