CHEROKEE NATION DIABETES PREVENTION PROGRAM (DPP)
FACT SHEET

WHAT IS THE CHEROKEE NATION DIABETES PREVENTION PROGRAM?
Diabetes is a serious problem for American Indians and Alaska Natives, who suffer from some of the highest rates of diabetes in the world. Congress funded the Cherokee Nation Diabetes Prevention Program in 2004 to establish a new program to prevent diabetes in Cherokee communities. Research has shown that it is possible to prevent diabetes through simple lifestyle changes, such as exercising more, eating healthy food, and losing some weight. We are looking for volunteers to participate in this project and to help see how diabetes prevention activities can be started in your community.

WHO CAN JOIN THE PROGRAM?
We are looking for American Indians age 18 and older who have a medical condition called "prediabetes" and receive medical care at a Cherokee Nation clinic or hospital. People with prediabetes have high blood glucose (sugar) levels but these levels are not high enough to be diagnosed with diabetes. People with prediabetes are at risk to develop diabetes over time and can reduce their risk through healthy lifestyle changes. If you have prediabetes and you join the program, you will participate in classes to teach you about how to eat healthier food, to increase your physical activity and to lose some weight.

COULD I HAVE PREDIABETES?
Most people do not know if they have prediabetes. You could have prediabetes if:
    • Someone in your family has diabetes
    • You weigh more than you should
    • You had diabetes when you were 
       pregnant(called "gestational diabetes")
    • You had a baby weighing over 9 pounds at birth
    • A doctor or nurse has said to you that you
      have a "touch of sugar' or "borderline diabetes"

HOW CAN I JOIN THE PROGRAM?
If you would like to volunteer to be part of this program, we will first recommend that you get tested to see if you have prediabetes at your clinic or during a DPP scheduled lab day. If the tests show that you have prediabetes, you will be referred for further medical care and will be eligible to participate in this project

WHY SHOULD I JOIN THE CHEROKEE NATION DIABETES PREVENTlON PROGRAM?
The Cherokee Nation Diabetes Prevention Program can help you in several ways:
    • We will watch your health closely
    • You will have a personal lifestyle coach to help you
       with your weight loss goals
    • You will receive tools and incentives at each class
       to help with healthy eating and activity
    • Diabetes or other problems can be found at the
      earliest possible date
    • You will get free checkups and other medical tests
    • You will take weekly classes on eating healthy,
      increasing physical activity, and losing weight
    • You may be able to delay or avoid getting diabetes
      by participating in this program
    • You will help us learn if we can prevent diabetes in
      Cherokee communities and will help us show
      Congress that Cherokee Nation is in need of future
       funding for prevention programs

WHERE DO I GO FOR MORE INFORMATION OR TO JOIN?
Please contact Tonya Giger, MPH, CHES at the Cherokee Nation Diabetes Prevention Program. Phone: 918.453.5776 Toll Free: 1.800.256.0671 Email: tonya-giger@cherokee.org