Why Was the Special Diabetes Program for Indians Created
The serious and often devastating effects of diabetes on individuals, families, and communities has created a substantial and growing economic burden for our nation. Programs like the Special Diabetes Program for Indians have led efforts to identify and implement diabetes treatment and prevention interventions that not only improve quality of life, but also use scarce health care resources effectively. Using an evidence-based approach, the Indian Health Service (IHS) found that although diabetes is a very costly disease for the Indian health system, the Special Diabetes Program for Indians has implemented cost-effective and money saving interventions.
Diabetes is costly within the Indian Health Service
3 times higher Health care costs for an adult with diabetes ($7,003 per year in FY 2005), as compared to an adult without diabetes ($2,331 per year), within the IHS
2 times higher Health care costs for adults with diabetes and cardiovascular disease, as compared to adults with only diabetes
$1 out of every $3 IHS dollars spent on adult health care is needed for people with diabetes
Multiple co-morbidities are very common among American Indians and Alaska Natives with diabetes. As a result, American Indians and Alaska Natives with diabetes are at higher risk for using the health care system and incurring health care costs, as compared with the U.S. diabetes population.
Special Diabetes Program for Indians: Reaping economic benefits
Despite the cost burden of diabetes, the interventions implemented by the Special Diabetes Program for Indians are economically favorable. Using economic studies from other health systems and populations as comparative benchmarks, the IHS estimates that the Special Diabetes Program for Indians has implemented activities that are cost-effective and save money in the following areas:
- Diabetes prevention
- Blood sugar and cholesterol control interventions
- Blood pressure interventions
The IHS will continue to assess the cost burden of diabetes and the cost-effectiveness of diabetes treatment and prevention strategies. This growing body of knowledge will guide the Indian health system’s efforts to improve upon its record of treating and preventing diabetes and other chronic conditions in a cost-effective manner. In addition, this information will help policy makers, health care systems, and health care providers make informed decisions about diabetes and chronic care management.