Gayle Diné Chacon, director of the Center for Native American Health at UNM, will deliver the opening remarks at the Diabetes Education in Tribal Schools Health is Life in Balance Train-the-Trainer Summer Institute, Monday, July 20-Wednesday, July 22 at the Homewood Suites by Hilton, Albuquerque Uptown, 7101 Arvada Ave NE.
Photo: Gayle Diné Chacon
Chacon joins Southwestern Indian Polytechnic Institute and leading Native American educators to prevent type 2 diabetes through early education. Type 2 diabetes, formerly known as adult onset diabetes, has become increasingly prevalent among children and adolescents as rates of overweight and obesity rise. A Center for Disease Control study estimated that one in three American children born in 2000 will develop diabetes in their lifetime.
The DETS Health is Life in Balance type 2 diabetes K-12 curriculum aims to curtail diabetes at an early age, especially among Native Americans. Diabetes is almost three times more common among Native American populations.
The curriculum is endorsed by the National Congress of American Indians, which represents more than 250 tribal nations throughout the United States. An evaluation of the curriculum, involving 1,519 students and 63 teachers across the country, showed student achievement gains at elementary, middle and high school levels, as well as an increased interest in science careers.
The curriculum is available for free to all teachers of Native American children in hard copy and online. Call the Southwestern Indian Polytechnic Institute at (505) 453-4437 or visit Diabetes Education or SIPI Diabetes Outreach.