Federal data show diabetes–related kidney failure among Native American adults (American Indians/Alaskan Natives) decreased 54 percent between 1996 and 2013. This remarkable decrease follows population–based approaches to diabetes management and improvements in clinical care begun by the Indian Health Service (IHS) in the mid–1980s.

Native Americans have a greater chance of having diabetes than any other U.S. racial/ethnic group. Two out of three Native Americans with kidney failure have diabetes. But the rate of diabetes–related kidney failure in Native Americans has declined the fastest of any racial/ethnic group in the U.S.

Kidney failure is a devastating and costly condition that requires regular dialysis or a kidney transplant for survival. Diabetes–related kidney failure is delayed or prevented by controlling blood pressure and blood sugar, using kidney–protective medicines, and regular kidney testing.

Key Findings from the report include:

• Despite well–documented health and socioeconomic disparities in the Native American population, kidney failure from diabetes has decreased substantially since 1996.
• IHS–supported care for Native Americans with diabetes has improved: 1) Use of medicine to protect kidneys increased greatly, from 42% to 74% in 5 years; 2) Average blood pressure in those with hypertension is well–controlled (133/76 in 2015); 3) Blood sugar control improved by 10% between 1996 and 2014; 4) More than 60% of Native Americans 65 years and older had a urine test for kidney damage (2015) compared to 40% of the Medicare diabetes population (2013).
• The Indian Health Service applied strong coordinated clinical care and education, community outreach and environmental changes. These measure can make a dramatic difference in reducing complications from diabetes for all Americans.