Skip to main content
U.S. flag

An official website of the United States government

Here’s how you know

Dot gov

Official websites use .gov
A .gov website belongs to an official government organization in the United States.

HTTPS

Secure .gov websites use HTTPS
A lock (LockA locked padlock) or https:// means you’ve safely connected to the .gov website. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites.

HHS.gov
  • About HHS
  • Programs & Services
  • Grants & Contracts
  • Laws & Regulations

Breadcrumb

  1. Home
  2. About
  3. News
  4. HHS Awards $139 million for Special Diabetes Program for Indians
  • News
  • Blog
  • HHS Live
  • Podcasts
  • Media Guidelines for HHS Employees
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
January 25, 2023
Contact: HHS Press Office
202-690-6343
media@hhs.gov

HHS Awards $139 million for Special Diabetes Program for Indians

The U. S. Department of Health and Human Services, through the Indian Health Service, is investing $139 million in funding for the Fiscal Year 2023 Special Diabetes Program for Indians (SDPI) to provide diabetes prevention and treatment services for American Indian and Alaska Native communities.

Funding awards have been made to 302 tribal, urban, and IHS sites in 35 states under the new, 5-year grant cycle that began on January 1, 2023. Eleven organizations and tribes are being funded for the first time.

“HHS is committed to eliminating health disparities in communities across the country,” said HHS Secretary Xavier Becerra. “American Indian and Alaska Native communities have historically had disproportionately higher rates of diabetes than other populations. Through education and outreach programs like the Special Diabetes Program for Indians, we are successfully implementing evidence-based and community-driven strategies to prevent and treat diabetes in tribal and urban Indian communities.”

Federal data show that the rate of diabetes-related kidney failure decreased by half after implementing population-based diabetes treatment and prevention services like SDPI. The prevalence of diabetic eye disease (retinopathy) has also fallen in American Indian and Alaska Native adults by more than 50 percent compared to reports from the 1980s and 1990s. This is a substantial reduction in the risk of vision problems and blindness in American Indian and Alaska Native adults with diabetes. Although it is not possible to determine specific reasons for these decreases, the diabetes prevention services provided by IHS, tribal and urban Indian health facilities very likely contributed. 

“IHS is committed to continuing its support for diabetes prevention and treatment for IHS, tribal, and urban Indian health programs,” said IHS Director Roselyn Tso. “Since its inception in 1997, the Special Diabetes Program for Indians has helped to dramatically increase access to important diabetes prevention and treatment services throughout Indian Country.”

The Special Diabetes Program for Indians has successfully implemented evidence-based and community-driven strategies to prevent and treat diabetes within American Indian and Alaska Native communities. Using guidance from tribal leaders, the SDPI has also engendered a national diabetes network for American Indians and Alaska Natives. This work supports the Biden-Harris Administration’s goal to end hunger and reduce diet-related diseases by 2030 – all while reducing disparities – and its corresponding National Strategy on Hunger, Nutrition, and Health. And for any American Indians and Alaska Natives with Medicare prescription drug coverage who receive health care services outside of the Indian health system, the Biden-Harris Administrations is delivering on increased access to health care and lower costs. Through the Inflation Reduction Act, a month's supply of each covered insulin is capped at $35.

The 11 organizations and tribes that are being funded for the first time:

Alaska
Native Village of Eyak, IIanka Community Health Center
Cordova
Arizona
Native American Connections
Phoenix
Montana
Little Shell Tribe of Chippewa Indians of Montana
Great Falls
Native American Development Corporation
Billings
New York
Lockport Service Unit
Lockport
Manlius Service Unit
Manlius
Shinnecock Service Unit
South Hampton
Virginia
Chickahominy Indian Tribe
Providence Forge
Mid-Atlantic/Richmond Service Unit
Richmond
Monacan Indian Nation
Madison Heights
Upper Mattaponi Indian Tribe
King William


The IHS Division of Diabetes Treatment and Prevention provides programmatic leadership of the SDPI program, as well as extensive training and resources, which are widely used by special diabetes program sites and clinicians across the country.

The IHS, an agency in the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, provides a comprehensive health service delivery system for approximately 2.7 million American Indians and Alaska Natives who belong to 574 federally recognized tribes in 37 states. Follow the agency via social media on Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn.

###
Note: All HHS press releases, fact sheets and other news materials are available at https://www.hhs.gov/news.
Like HHS on Facebook, follow HHS on Twitter @HHSgov, and sign up for HHS Email Updates.
Last revised: January 25, 2023

Sign Up for Email Updates

Receive the latest updates from the Secretary, Blogs, and News Releases

Sign Up

Subscribe to RSS

Receive latest updates

Subscribe to our RSS

Related News Releases

  • In Newly Released Audit Report, HHS Announces New Accountability Team, Additional Efforts to Protect the Safety and Well-being of Unaccompanied Children

  • Statement from HHS Secretary Xavier Becerra on President Biden's Intention to Nominate Dr. Monica Bertagnolli for Director of the National Institutes of Health

  • Fact Sheet: HHS Details $5 Billion ‘Project NextGen’ Initiative to Stay Ahead of COVID-19

Related Blog Posts

  • HHS Blog thumbnail

    HHS Shines Spotlight on Diagnostic Innovation During Lyme Disease Awareness Month

  • Giving Equals Living

    For Some People with Rare Diseases, Plasma Donations Are Life Saving

  • HHS Blog thumbnail

    ICYMI: 2025 Dietary Guidelines Advisory Committee Holds First Meeting

Media Inquiries

For general media inquiries, please contact media@hhs.gov.

Content created by Indian Health Service (IHS)
Content last reviewed January 25, 2023
Back to top
  • Contact HHS
  • Careers
  • HHS FAQs
  • Nondiscrimination Notice
  • HHS Archive
  • Accessibility
  • Privacy Policy
  • Viewers & Players
  • Budget/Performance
  • Inspector General
  • Web Site Disclaimers
  • EEO/No Fear Act
  • FOIA
  • The White House
  • USA.gov

Sign Up for Email Updates

Receive the latest updates from the Secretary, Blogs, and News Releases.

Sign Up
HHS Logo

HHS Headquarters

200 Independence Avenue, S.W.
Washington, D.C. 20201
Toll Free Call Center: 1-877-696-6775​