Ute, Navajos struggle with diabetes
Minority Diabetes Reports Saturday, December 14th, 2013Cortez Journal: November 22, 2013
TOWAOC — From Cortez to Shiprock, N.M., Durango to Monticello, Utah, native Americans sit in hospitals and health centers receiving kidney dialysis at a higher rate than non-Indians.
That is the uncomfortable truth of ignoring the diabetes epidemic the Ute Mountain Tribe is battling every day, reports Rita King, manager of the tribe’s Diabetes Prevention Program. The Utes and Navajos hosted a two-day education conference on diabetes in Towaoc this week.
“It has been frustrating getting those at risk and those with the disease to change their ways,” King says. “The disease is reversible, our people are aware of the problem, so we have done a good job there. But it is the action of individuals to take responsibility for their health, that is much tougher.” Read More
